Continuity mistake: When Daniela is putting Killian to bed, in the shot of her saying "I don't understand you, Dad", Killian's right hand is shown touching the side of her face, but in the next shot, his hand is suddenly off her face. (00:05:15)
Palm Trees in the Snow (2015)
Plot summary
The film begins in Spain in the present day, as Kilian, a young doctor, attends the funeral of his father, Jacobo. Kilian discovers a letter among his father's belongings, leading him to question his family's history.
In flashbacks to the 1950s, it is revealed that Kilian's father, Jacobo, and uncle, Damian, traveled to the island of Fernando Poo, a Spanish colony in Equatorial Guinea. They were tasked with running a cacao plantation owned by their family.
In Fernando Poo, Kilian and Damian meet Bisila, a local woman who instantly catches Kilian's eye. He becomes smitten with her, though their relationship is complicated by the racial and social divides of the time. Kilian and Damian also learn about the brutal mistreatment of the local indigenous people working on the plantation.
As Kilian and Bisila grow closer, they face challenges and opposition from various characters. Kilian's mother, Julia, disapproves of his relationship with Bisila due to her mixed-race heritage. Additionally, Bisila's brother, Fernando, threatens Kilian to stay away from her.
Throughout their time on the plantation, Damian reveals to Kilian that he had a child with a local woman named Olu. Damian is desperate to locate his daughter and bring her back to Spain. Kilian promises to help him in his search.
Eventually, civil unrest stirs up on the island as the locals demand independence from Spanish colonial rule. Violent conflicts arise, resulting in the deaths of many, including Bisila.
Amidst the turmoil, Damian manages to locate his daughter, Clara, and brings her to Spain. However, Damian breaks the news to Kilian that Bisila was pregnant with his child before her tragic death. Kilian is heartbroken to learn that he has lost both his love and his unborn child.
Back in the present day, Kilian travels to Equatorial Guinea, now an independent country, to meet with Bisila's granddaughter, Clarence. She provides Kilian with further answers, sharing photos and documents about his family's history. Kilian returns to Spain, where he decides to forgive his father for the secrets and lies. He begins a new chapter, reflecting on the experiences and connections he discovered during his journey to uncover the truth about his family's past.
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