Once Upon a Time in Euskadi explained

Native Name:
Nolink:yes
Director:Manu Gómez
Screenplay:Manu Gómez
Producer:Beatriz Bodegas
Cinematography:Javier Salmones
Editing:Ángel Hernández Zoido
Music:Aránzazu Calleja
Country:Spain
Language:Spanish
Distributor:eOne

Once Upon a Time in Euskadi (Spanish; Castilian: '''Érase una vez en Euskadi'''|links=no)[1] is a 2021 Spanish coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Manu Gómez. It stars Asier Flores, Aitor Calderón, Miguel Rivera, and Hugo García alongside Luis Callejo, Marian Álvarez, Vicente Vergara, Pilar Gómez, and Vicente Romero.

Plot

Set in the Summer of 1985 in the Basque Country against the backdrop of the Basque Conflict, the plot tracks the stories of a group of four children with a maketo Andalusian immigrant background.

Production

The film was produced by La Canica Films alongside Érase mi cuadrilla AIE, with the participation of Historias del Tío Luis, RTVE, and EiTB, funding from the ICAA, and the collaboration of CreaSGR and the Gipuzkoa Foral Deputation.[2] Shooting locations included Arrasate, Azkoaga, Bergara, Eibar, Elgeta, Elgoibar, Oñati, Soraluze-Placencia de las Armas, and Zumarraga.[3]

Release

The film premiered in the 'RTVE Gala' of the 69th San Sebastián International Film Festival (Zinemaldia) on 22 September 2021.[4] Distributed by eOne, it was released theatrically in Spain on 29 October 2021.

Critical reception

Roger Salvans of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars highlighting the "truth and innocence" pertaining the gang of children as the film's best while negatively citing some overly dramatic final twists.[5]

Toni Vall of Cinemanía rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, underscoring it to be "a skillful dive into the lives of three friends whose world is teetering".[6]

Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 80 points ('very good'), highlighting "the setting, the most unexpected plot twists and the children's innocent look at a convulsive and complex social situation".[7]

Accolades

|-| align = "center" rowspan = "3" | 2022 || rowspan = "3" | 1st Carmen Awards || Best Supporting Actor || Vicente Romero || || rowspan = "3" | [8] |-| Best Supporting Actress || María Alfonsa Rosso || |-| Best Sound || Diana Sagrista || |}

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 12 August 2023. Report 2021. San Sebastián International Film Festival. 47.
  2. Web site: Fotogramas. 'Érase una vez en Euskadi': Clip en exclusiva de lo nuevo de Marián Álvarez, Luis Callejo y Yon González. 22 October 2021. María. Aller.
  3. Web site: EiTB. 8 May 2023. Estreno de la película 'Érase una vez en Euskadi', hoy, en "La Noche De…".
  4. Web site: RTVE Somos Cine Gala de cine: RTVE estrena 'Érase una vez en Euskadi' en el Festival de San Sebastián. rtve.es. 22 September 2021.
  5. Web site: Crítica de 'Érase una vez en Euskadi'. Fotogramas. Roger. Salvans. 27 October 2021.
  6. Web site: Cinemanía. 20minutos.es. Crítica de 'Érase una vez en Euskadi'. Toni. Vall. 28 October 2021.
  7. Web site: HobbyConsolas. Crítica de Érase una vez en Euskadi: algo más que un cuento nostálgico sobre la infancia. 27 October 2021. Raquel. Hernández-Luján.
  8. Web site: Listado completo de ganadores de los Premios Carmen del Cine Andaluz. Diario Sur. 31 January 2022. C.. Pinto.