DESCRIPTION:
The bells of death, that's how my daughter calls them. I had not noticed the phenomenon until one day my daughter who was visiting made me realize that every time someone dies in a small village like the one I live in here in Spain, the bells announce the death. The bells have a particular sound and rhythm and are played sort of silently in the morning. So as to announce the death of the person who died during the night.
In the past, people used to know from far away in the fields listening to the sound of the bells if the person who died was a man a woman or a young child.
This knowledge has been lost and I'm not even sure the church people still know how to make the bells sound according to the gender and age of the deceased. They always sound the same to me, but most of the time they wake me up so I don't kind of pay attention to see if I can detect a difference.
This winter has been a busy one for the bells. My father who is 86 years young and in great shape (for now) has seen many of his best friends taken away by the bells of death during the past winter months. Every month two or three close friends and or acquaintances he knew all his life passed away. I'm sure deep down, he's starting to think about when his turn will come. My mother left us last fall also and I can sense he is somewhat worried.
While listening to my favorite guitar player today, one song caught my attention. Antonino, it's the name of one of my dad's good all times friend. He's not in top shape nowadays and I remembered making some clips last year for the film I am making about this village.
I decided to use the clips and show Antonio the wonders of his work in his garden, in Aldeanueva De Ebro AKA The Village with Three Lies.
I hope you all enjoy it.