Spanish underground filmmaker Carlos Atanes takes a trip to science fiction with Proxima (2007), but in his totally own way. In some way, Proxima is still maybe the easiest way to get familiar with Atanes films.

Video store owner Tony has difficult times, when the store doesn't really pay off and same time his marriage is on its way to end. One day Tony participates to the lecture of famous scifi writer, who claims to quit literature – because it is no use to write science fiction. Writer announces that he has found a portal to stars, which makes his fans freak out. Tony, on the other hand, has a big interest to writers claims. After listening to writers CD-book, Tony will find himself in strange situations and ever stranger people.

Director, writer and editor Carlos Atanes takes his visions to another level with Proxima. The imaginative plot is probably the most interesting of his movies, and grabs the attention of viewer from the very beginning. Talkative characters and endless dialogue is one of Atanes trademarks, and in Proxima it works very well. You really have to pay attention to get the most of the film, and if you do, it is rewarding too. Of course the low pace is not for everyone, so those waiting to see action-filled scifi actioner, will be disappointed.

Actors like Oriol Aubets as Tony and Joan Frank Charansonnet as Tony's friend Lucas give the performances, that leave a little to desire. This time we see also a lot of chroma key special effects. While they are not actually the state of the art, they suit fine in the films context.

Proxima is again an unique, weird and uplifting example of underground film, where the low budget does not (and can't) restrict the imagination of filmmakers like Atanes.