The Anonymous Queen Explained

Native Name:
Nolink:yes
Director:Gonzalo Suárez
Screenplay:Gonzalo Suárez
Cinematography:Carlos Suárez
Editing:Pablo del Amo
Music:Mario de Benito
Distributor:United International Pictures
Country:Spain
Language:Spanish

The Anonymous Queen (Spanish; Castilian: '''La reina anónima'''|links=no)[1] is a 1992 Spanish fantasy drama film directed by Gonzalo Suárez starring Carmen Maura and Marisa Paredes.

Plot

Upon meeting a strange woman claiming to be her neighbor, the anodine life of housewife Ana Luz takes a wild turn,[2] experiencing a series of surrealist and crazy situations that she is unable to control, with a further set of bizarre characters breaking into her residence.

Production

The screenplay was penned by Gonzalo Suárez. Produced by Ditirambo Films and Lola Films,[3] the film boasted a 250 million budget. Filming began on 25 May 1992.[4] Regarding the labelling of his film, Suárez stated that he was "not interested in discussing what La reina anónima is. I usually say it is a tragedy disguised as a comedy, or a psychological drama. But in the end they are nothing more than jests".[5]

Release

The film screened in the Golden Shell competition of the 40th San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 1992.[6] It was released theatrically in Spain on 16 October 1992.[7]

Reception

Ángel Fernández-Santos of El País assessed that despite the film boasting certain assets such as "expressionist sets", "excellent craft on the part of the cast", and "a dense and brilliant literary base", it has "little, if any, sense of ellipsis", thus damaging the whole.[8]

Accolades

|-| || 7th Goya Awards || Best Costume Design || Yvonne Blake || || |}

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Mira, Alberto. The A to Z of Spanish Cinema. 286. The Scarecrow Press, Inc.. Lanham. 2010. 978-0-8108-7622-4.
  2. Web site: Carmen Maura es la actriz del mes de julio en 8madrid TV. Audiovisual451. 2 July 2021.
  3. Web site: Gonzalo Suárez inicia el rodaje de 'El detective y la muerte'. El País. 16 November 1992. Javier. Cuartas.
  4. Web site: El País. Gonzalo Suárez cambia el misticismo por el vodevil. Regina. Valenzuela. 10 June 1992.
  5. Web site: El País. Casimiro. 16 October 2022. Torreiro. Gonzalo Suárez: "No me interesa discutir qué es mi película".
  6. Web site: El País. El Festival de San Sebastián acentúa este año su compromiso con el cine independiente. José Luis. Barbería. 16 September 1992.
  7. Book: Benavent, Francisco María. Cine español de los 90. Diccionario de películas, directores y temático. 2000. 84-271-2326-4. Bilbao. Ediciones Mensajero. 495–496.
  8. Web site: El País. Ángel. Fernández-Santos. Ángel Fernández-Santos. Gonzalo Suárez no logra en 'La reina anónima' convertir una pesadilla en comedia. 22 September 1992.