The most important thing in life is not being dead

The most important thing in life is not being dead

82 mins | Sept. 29, 2010

An esteemed piano tuner and repairer, Jacobo leads an apparently happy life with his wife, Helena. His serene existence is thrown into a state of confusion when insomnia creeps in, and pianos that previously repaired miraculously overnight remain unfixed. Jacobo plunges into paranoia and madness, hearing noises during the night and having ephemeral visions of a stranger roaming the house in a dressing gown. Helena reassuringly denies anything out of the ordinary, and suspiciously insists he is hallucinating. Is the life we think safe and secure true, or is there a second reality lurking? THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT BEING DEAD is a tale of betrayal and forgiveness in a rich musical universe, set against the Franco era, a period of political deceit and distorted reality in Spain. Playfully, the tragicomedy questions our perception of reality and the vulnerability of our human condition.

The most important thing in life is not being dead

82 mins | Sept. 29, 2010

The most important thing in life is not being dead
An esteemed piano tuner and repairer, Jacobo leads an apparently happy life with his wife, Helena. His serene existence is thrown into a state of confusion when insomnia creeps in, and pianos that previously repaired miraculously overnight remain unfixed. Jacobo plunges into paranoia and madness, hearing noises during the night and having ephemeral visions of a stranger roaming the house in a dressing gown. Helena reassuringly denies anything out of the ordinary, and suspiciously insists he is hallucinating. Is the life we think safe and secure true, or is there a second reality lurking? THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE IS NOT BEING DEAD is a tale of betrayal and forgiveness in a rich musical universe, set against the Franco era, a period of political deceit and distorted reality in Spain. Playfully, the tragicomedy questions our perception of reality and the vulnerability of our human condition.
Producers
Original title Lo más importante de la vida es no haber muerto
Directors Pablo Martín Torrado, Marc Recuenco, Olivier Pictet
Writers

Cast

Emilio Gutiérrez Caba

as Jacobo 80

Mercè Montalà

as Helena 80

Carles Arquimbau

as Gerard 80

Marián Aguilera

as Helena 50

Jordi Domènech

as Vecino 50

Xavier Tort

as Vecino 80

Albert Ausellé

as Gerard 50