Santiago Requejo’s short film, All In Favor (Votamos), stirred up all the not-so-fond memories of my final encounter with the Home Owners Association (HOA).
Set in Madrid, All In Favor drops in on the final piece of business of a condo board meeting. Member Maite (Miriam Díaz-Aroca) sneaks in tardy for the final vote to approve a new lift for the complex. The new lift passes, and the board convenes into casual conversation.
As the board members leave, Alberto (Raúl Fernández de Pablo) mentions that he’s finally been able to lease his condo to a co-worker recently hired under the socialization program at work. The program brought in new employees who have struggled with mental health issues but need to get a foot in the door to start a new career. Upon hearing this, the other members are alarmed that Alberto is allowing a crazy person to live in his dumpy apartment, and they plead with him to reject the application.
“…been able to lease his condo to a co-worker recently hired under the socialization program at work.”
Two things stand out in this drama. First is the discussion of mental health and the stigma associated with it when it’s discovered that you (or someone you know) have struggled with one of the hundreds of diagnoses. Filmmaker Requejo then calls out the prejudice and hypocrisy in our attitudes toward mental health.
The other stand-out moment is that the 14-minute (minus credits) All In Favor is done in a single shot with no cuts. It opens with a wide shot of the eight participants, then floats around the room following the conversation between Alberto and the others. Unlike other films, the single-shot technique is often about pulling off the gimmick. Here it works and makes sense.
All In Favor is an excellent example of turning a small dramatic scene into an engaging piece of cinema while making a subtle yet poignant point.
"…the single-shot technique...works and makes sense."
