Beltran Soler, a seismologist from Chile, immerses himself in seismic data and scientific pursuits to shield himself from the chaos of life. However, during a flight to L.A., he experiences a wave of nostalgia that leads him to reflect on the fifty most significant films of his childhood and adolescence in the 1960s and '70s. From classics like Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to cult favorites such as Logan's Run, Beltran's memories intertwine with the people he shared these moments with and the theaters where they unfolded. Through this cinematic journey, he reconstructs the complex history of his eccentric and dysfunctional family, confronting his deep-seated obsession with the films that shaped his identity, often against his will. Set against the backdrop of Nixon's suburban California and Pinochet's Santiago, the narrative explores the life of an adolescent striving to escape a fragmented existence caught between two languages, cultures, and families that experience the same films. This novel delves into the profound impact of cinema on our lives, illustrating how movies resonate within us and foster a shared love for the enchantment of storytelling.
