Alirón (2019)

Alirón (2019) is a Spanish short film that sensitively explores love, self-discovery and the internal struggle of accepting one’s identity in a conservative environment. The story follows Alex, a young man living in a small town where football is a fundamental part of life. His father, a passionate coach, expects him to follow in his footsteps, but Alex harbors a secret that makes him feel like an outsider in his own home.

Over the course of a scorching summer, Alex finds himself drawn deeper into Dani, a charismatic and confident teammate who represents the freedom Alex craves. Through training, victories, and shared afternoons, their friendship deepens into something deeper. However, Alex fears what these feelings mean and struggles to hide them, afraid of what his family and friends might think.

One night, after winning an important game, the whole city is filled with celebration. Amidst laughter and music, Alex and Dani end up getting away from the hustle and bustle and find themselves alone. The adrenaline of the moment, the closeness between them and the electricity in the air bring them to the brink of crossing the line they have avoided for so long. Dani, braver, takes the first step, forcing Alex to face the truth he has been avoiding.

Fear grips Alex. Though for a moment he feels happy, his mind is filled with doubt and guilt. He knows that giving in to these feelings means defying the expectations of his father, his team, and the society around him. In a fit of confusion and panic, he pulls away from Dani, denying what they both know to be real. Dani, hurt but understanding, gives him space, though her eyes are filled with disappointment and sadness.

As the days go by, the distance between them becomes more evident. Dani doesn't try to force anything, but her absence weighs on Alex like an unbearable burden. Meanwhile, the world continues to spin around him, and his team continues to celebrate their triumphs on the court, oblivious to the internal battle that consumes Alex. He finds himself caught between the fear of being discovered and the pain of having lost something that could have been beautiful.

With football season coming to an end, Alex faces one last chance to make amends with Dani and, more importantly, with himself. He knows that fear can’t rule him forever, but he also understands that choosing to be honest requires a courage he doesn’t yet know he has. Alirón leaves the story open-ended, allowing the viewer to reflect on the struggle between the desire to fit in and the need to be authentic. It’s a story about love, repression, and the hope that one day we can all live without fear of being who we truly are.