Mieres del Camino is a pretty decent silent drama about class and soot

Is it worth the watch?

You should watch this if you have a soft spot for black and white silents that feel like a time capsule. If you need fast editing or people actually talking, you are going to be miserable watching this one. 😴

It’s a very simple story about a rich girl, Pepina, who goes to a steel factory and falls for a worker named Pinón. The whole thing feels very grounded in its time, especially the contrast between the clean houses and the dirty factory.

The scenes inside the factory are actually the best part. You can almost smell the coal and the heat coming off the screen. 🏗️

Pinón is played by Juan Díaz Quesada, and he has this very earnest way of looking at Pepina. It’s a lot more sincere than the romance in something like Puppy Love.

Pepina’s father is the classic overbearing dad. He flies into a total rage when he finds out about the steelworker because he wants her to marry a rich guy who moved away and made a fortune.

There is this one shot where the father is just standing there looking disappointed. It lingers for a really long time. It’s almost uncomfortable how long he stares at the camera.

The film doesn't have the slapstick energy of The Sawmill. It takes itself way more seriously than that.

I noticed that in the outdoor shots, the wind is blowing really hard. You can see the actors struggling with their hair and hats, which makes it feel real in a way modern movies don't.

The plot is pretty predictable. You know exactly where it's going the moment the dad starts yelling. 😠

But the industrial backdrop gives it a grit that most movies from 1927 lack. It isn't all ballrooms and fancy dresses.

One thing that bugged me was how quickly Pepina falls in love. She basically looks at him once while he's working and decides he's the one.

I guess people were just more efficient with their feelings back then. Or maybe she just really liked his work ethic. 🛠️

The print I saw had some scratches and flickering. It adds to the charm, honestly.

It’s a bit slow in the middle. I actually found myself looking at the background extras more than the main actors for a few minutes.

If you like seeing how industrial Spain looked nearly a century ago, this is a gold mine. Otherwise, it's just a standard 'dad says no' drama.

The ending is exactly what you think it is. No big surprises here, just old-fashioned storytelling.