The world of social media has opened many doors. From contacting people across the globe to having international news on demand, millions of possibilities lie at people’s fingertips. But there’s another side to the world of instant contact. Javier Marco’s short film “Face to Face” (A la Cara) touches on the darker side of social media. The story his film tells is one that is, sadly, not one that is rare or unheard of. Face to Face shares a brief glimpse into an interaction that has been spurred by a man engaging in online harassment of a television presenter. The plot centers around a woman in the public eye and a man who has contacted her through social media. She has arrived at his apartment, not to demand an apology, but to hear him say what he wrote: face to face.  

Sonia Almarcha plays the woman, a television hostess named Lina. Almarcha portrays Lina beautifully; her emotion palpable throughout the piece. With a still, sincere strength, she’s able to portray a grieving woman whose outward appearance isn’t fully indicative of her inner emotions. Almarcha gives Lina a sort of grace that juxtaposes the man with the screen name “Alge68” (Manolo Solo).

“Face to Face” focuses on an issue that has increasingly become more prevalent as social media moves to the forefront of society and secures a foothold as a communication tool. Not only does Marco’s film showcase the value of humanising those we encounter on social media, but it also highlights the power that lies within the words we say, write, and type. 

In the current COVID-19 crisis, mental health awareness and interpersonal relationships have moved further to the forefront of daily conversation. While the film makes no mention of the pandemic, the subject of “Face to Face” is still relevant to the world today. The universality of the importance of kindness is one of the many things that makes Marco’s film important for audiences to view.