Last Wishes Explained

Native Name:
Nolink:yes
Director:Joaquín Carmona Hidalgo
Cinematography:Kike González
Editing:Ángel Armada
Music:Carla F. Benedicto
Distributor:Alfa Pictures
Country:Spain
Language:Spanish

Last Wishes (Spanish; Castilian: '''Últimas voluntades'''|links=no)[1] is a 2023 Spanish thriller drama film directed by Joaquín Carmona Hidalgo which stars Óscar Casas, Fernando Tejero, Nerea Camacho, Adriana Ozores, and Carlos Santos.

Plot

The plot concerns a father (Coque) trying to win back forgiveness from his son (Andrés) after leaving prison. Coque abandoned Andrés when the latter was a toddler.

Production

The screenplay was penned by Salvador Serrano (also featuring as a cast member) and Helio Mira. The film was produced by Biopic Films and Maskeline, a Visual Foundry alongside La Charito Films, with the participation of RTVE and 7 Televisión Región de Murcia.[2] It also had support from the Spanish; Castilian: [[Ayuntamiento (Spain)|ayuntamientos]] of Molina de Segura, Fuente Álamo, Mazarrón and Calasparra.[3] Shooting began in December 2021, but production was halted on 19 December due to a localised COVID-19 outbreak which affected several crew members.[4] Once resumed in 2022, some characters were recast due to schedule obligations of the original cast, and thus Àlex Monner, and Alberto San Juan were replaced by Óscar Casas, Adriana Ozores and Carlos Santos.[5] Shooting re-started from scratch after the hiatus.[6] It was shot in the Region of Murcia, including locations such as Murcia, Molina de Segura, Cartagena, Calasparra, Fuente Álamo, and Cehegín (Valentín).[7]

Release

Upon the wrap of shooting, the film's theatrical release was tentatively expected for late 2022. Distributed by Alfa Pictures, Last Wishes was released theatrically in Spain on 30 June 2023.

Reception

Philipp Engel of Cinemanía rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, underscoring it to be a "a mix of genres that does not quite work".[8]

Fausto Fernández of Fotogramas rated the "more than remarkable" film 4 out of 5 stars, finding a likeness of Tejero's Coque to Michael Caine's Carter in Get Carter.[9]

Accolades

|-| || 14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards || Best Score – Independent Film (Foreign Language) || Carla F. Benedicto || || |}

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: ICAA. Just Spainted. New Spanish Films. Summer/Fall. 2023.
  2. Web site: Comienza el rodaje de 'Últimas voluntades', participada por RTVE, con Fernando Tejero y Oscar Casas. RTVE. 10 March 2022.
  3. Web site: "Últimas voluntades", un "thriller" de amor, culpa y segundas oportunidades. La Vanguardia. 1 April 2022.
  4. Web site: Un brote de coronavirus obliga a interrumpir el rodaje de la película 'Últimas voluntades' en la Región. La Verdad. 19 December 2021 .
  5. Web site: La película murciana 'Últimas voluntades' vuelve al rodaje el próximo 28 de febrero. La Verdad. 23 February 2022.
  6. Web site: 'Últimas voluntades', un thriller de superación e intriga. Boquerini. El Correo.
  7. Web site: El rodaje por dentro de 'Últimas voluntades': emoción a flor de piel endulzada con paparajotes. Murcia Plaza. 3 April 2022. Cristina. Fernández.
  8. Web site: Cinemanía. 20minutos.es. 'Últimas voluntades': el thriller queer de Fernando Tejero. Philipp. Engel. 28 June 2023.
  9. Web site: Crítica de ‘Últimas voluntades’, cine negro con el mejor Fernando Tejero en modo Michael Caine. Fotogramas. Fausto. Fernández. 2 July 2023.