Hierro (4 Stars)

This film is named after the island of Hierro where most of the action takes place. Not being an expert in geography I had to look it up myself. This remote island has a population of 10,000 and its only industry is tourism. About half the population is made up of hermits who have fled from society to live in an isolated environment, particularly Germans. The only connection with the outside world is via ferry to the neighbouring island of Tenerife. There is also a small airport with flights only in the tourist season, the planes also flying only to Tenerife.

The film opens with the disappearance of two young boys, both about 6 years old. In the first scene a woman's car crashes, and when she regains consciousness her son has disappeared. In the second scene a woman is travelling to Hierro with her son, who disappears before the ferry arrives. A mystery then unfolds as we follow the second woman, who refuses to believe that her son has simply fallen overboard and searches the island for him. The film's conclusion is a shock, with a twist that would do M. Night Shyamalan justice.