Football Heroes of the Block explained

Native Name:	Nolink: yes
Director:	Ángeles Reiné
Country:	Spain
Language:	Spanish
Music:	Alfonso Casado
Editing:	Ana Álvarez Ossorio
Cinematography:	Alberto Pareja
Distributor:	A Contracorriente Films

Football Heroes of the Block (Spanish; Castilian: '''Héroes de barrio'''|links=no)^[1] is a 2022 Spanish comedy film directed by Ángeles Reiné which stars Antonio Pagudo and Luna Fulgencio alongside Lisi Linder, Antonio Dechent, Álex O'Dogherty, and Jesús Olmedo.

Plot

Set in a suburb of Seville,^[2] the plot follows a man at a low ebb (Luis), who (falsely) told to be a friend of famous footballer Joaquín to his daughter Paula, a 9-year-old wannabe footballer. Upon lying to Paula, Luis does everything he can not to let her down. Meanwhile Luis yearns to be back with former partner Carmen, Paula's mom. Luis is supported by his father (a former boxer) and friend Litos to win Carmen's love back.^[3]

Production

The screenplay was penned by Antonio Prieto and Ángeles Reiné. The film was produced by Spal Films, Álamo Producciones and Galdo Media, alongside AIE Palacios Gador, with the collaboration of ICAA, Junta de Andalucía, and Canal Sur.^{[4] [5]} Filming started in March 2021 in Alcalá de Guadaíra.^[6]

Release

The film screened on 25 March 2022 at the 25th Málaga Film Festival.^[7] Distributed by A Contracorriente Films, it was theatrically released in Spain on 29 July 2022.

Reception

Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas scored 50 points ("so-so"), deeming Héroes de barrio to be a "rather predictable and unambitious" film overall.^[8]

Oti Rodríguez Marchante of ABC rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, deeming it to be a "well-intentioned comedy", "in the sense that its greatest aim is not to ruin the day of even one of the viewers who come to see it".^[9]

Carlos Marañón of Cinemanía rated the film 2½ out of 5 stars, deeming it to be a "simple but honest film, with shortcomings" (...) "but with sparkle".^[10]

Accolades

|-| rowspan = "3" align = "center" | 2023 || rowspan = "3" | 2nd Carmen Awards || Best Actress || Lisi Linder || || rowspan = "3" | ^{[11] [12]} |-| Best Art Direction || Lala Obrero || |-| Best Cinematography || Alberto Pareja || |}

See also

• List of Spanish films of 2022

Notes and References

1. Web site: Ángeles Reiné Set to Follow 'Héroes de Barrio' With Mali Immigrant Story, Stunt Motocross Tale (EXCLUSIVE). Variety. 23 March 2022. Ed. Meza.
2. Web site: Las películas de la semana: «Héroes de barrio», «Los perdonados» y «La traición de Huda». La Voz de Galicia. 30 July 2022. Miguel Anxo. Fernández. Eduardo. Galán.
3. Web site: 'Héroes de barrio', o cómo el cine puede ser un canto a la igualdad con el fútbol de fondo. eldiario.es. Fermín. Cabanillas. 17 November 2022.
4. Web site: 'Héroes de barrio': la pasión de una niña por el fútbol. El Correo. 27 April 2021. Boquerini.
5. Web site: Antonio Pagudo: La gente tiene que ir al cine al estrenarse la película, que no esperen. Granada Hoy. Andrea. López. Grupo Joly.
6. Web site: El film 'Héroe de barrio' comienza su rodaje en Alcalá de Guadaíra (Sevilla). 20minutos.es. 25 March 2021.
7. Web site: 'Héroes de barrio' y la ilusión infantil de conocer a un futbolista en el Festival de Cine Málaga. Europa Press.
8. Web site: Crítica de Héroes de barrio, una película familiar sencilla. HobbyConsolas. 26 July 2022. Raquel. Hernández-Luján.
9. Web site: ABC. 1 August 2022. Oti. Rodríguez Marchante. Crítica de 'Héroes de barrio': Esperando a Joaquín, el del Betis.
10. Web site: Cinemanía. Crítica de 'Héroes de barrio'. 26 July 2022. Carlos. Marañón. 20minutos.es.
11. Web site: 'Controverso' opta a dos Carmen, que anuncian sus candidatos desde Almería. La Voz de Almería. 14 December 2022. Evaristo. Martínez.
12. Web site: Modelo 77 triunfa en los Carmen: Así ha quedado el palmarés. Ideal. Grupo Vocento. 5 February 2023.