Once Upon a Time in Euskadi
Once Upon a Time in Euskadi (Spanish: Érase una vez en Euskadi)[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.
| Once Upon a Time in Euskadi | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | Érase una vez en Euskadi |
| Directed by | Manu Gómez |
| Screenplay by | Manu Gómez |
| Produced by | Beatriz Bodegas |
| Starring |
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| Cinematography | Javier Salmones |
| Edited by | Ángel Hernández Zoido |
| Music by | Aránzazu Calleja |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | eOne |
Release dates |
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| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
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.
Cast
- Asier Flores as Marcos[2]
- Aitor Calderón as Toni[2]
- Miguel Rivera as Paquito[2]
- Hugo García as José Antonio[2]
- Luis Callejo as Jesús[2]
- Marian Álvarez as Carmen[2]
- Vicente Vergara as Mariano[2]
- Pilar Gómez as Josefa[2]
- Vicente Romero as Anselmo[2]
- María Isasi as Pura[2]
- María Alfonsa Rosso as Concha[2]
- Arón Piper as Maserati[2]
- Yon González as Félix[2]
- Ruth Díaz as Dolores[2]
- Josean Bengoetxea as Luis Mari[2]
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.[3] Shooting locations included Arrasate, Azkoaga, Bergara, Eibar, Elgeta, Elgoibar, Oñati, Soraluze-Placencia de las Armas, and Zumarraga.[4]
Release
The film premiered in the 'RTVE Gala' of the 69th San Sebastián International Film Festival (Zinemaldia) on 22 September 2021.[5] Distributed by eOne,[6] 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.[7]
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".[8]
Accolades
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1st Carmen Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vicente Romero | Nominated | [9] |
| Best Supporting Actress | María Alfonsa Rosso | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Diana Sagrista | Nominated |
See also
References
- "Report 2021" (PDF). San Sebastián International Film Festival. p. 47. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- "Érase una vez en Euskadi". Catálogo de Cinespañol. ICAA. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- Aller, María (22 October 2021). "'Érase una vez en Euskadi': Clip en exclusiva de lo nuevo de Marián Álvarez, Luis Callejo y Yon González". Fotogramas.
- "Estreno de la película 'Érase una vez en Euskadi', hoy, en "La Noche De…"". EiTB. 8 May 2023.
- "RTVE Somos Cine Gala de cine: RTVE estrena 'Érase una vez en Euskadi' en el Festival de San Sebastián". rtve.es. 22 September 2021.
- Vall, Toni (28 October 2021). "Crítica de 'Érase una vez en Euskadi'". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
- Salvans, Roger (27 October 2021). "Crítica de 'Érase una vez en Euskadi'". Fotogramas.
- Hernández-Luján, Raquel (27 October 2021). "Crítica de Érase una vez en Euskadi: algo más que un cuento nostálgico sobre la infancia". HobbyConsolas.
- Pinto, C. (31 January 2022). "Listado completo de ganadores de los Premios Carmen del Cine Andaluz". Diario Sur.