Pablo Fabelo lives with his feisty daughter and two young grandsons in a secluded part of the Cuban countryside. Long retired from the local mine, he spends his days quietly sitting in the doorway of his room, smoking cigars, playing cards, and reminiscing. Dichotomies abound in this atmospheric, languidly paced, and lushly photographed film as director Alejandro Alonso plays with shadows and light, silence and sound, youth and age. Ultimately, we experience a simple yet supremely lovely cinematic contemplation of life and time amidst the tensions and similarities of childhood and old age. Thankfully, no overt melancholy or wistfulness resides here. Pablo’s demeanor is fairly matter of fact and every movement is purposeful as he bids farewell to old memories and begins his path anew.  WFM