Half of Oscar

Half of Oscar (Spanish: La mitad de Óscar) is a 2010 Spanish-Cuban drama film directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca from a screenplay by Martín Cuenca and Alejandro Hernández. It stars Verónica Echegui, Rodrigo Sáenz de Heredia, Denis Eyriey, and Antonio de la Torre.

Half of Oscar
Theatrical release poster
SpanishLa mitad de Óscar
Directed byManuel Martín Cuenca
Screenplay by
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyRafael de la Uz
Edited byÁngel Hernández Zoido
Production
companies
  • La Loma Blanca PC
  • 14 Pies Audiovisual
  • ICAIC
Distributed byGolem Distribución
Release dates
  • 14 September 2010 (2010-09-14) (TIFF)
  • 18 March 2011 (2011-03-18) (Spain)
Countries
  • Spain
  • Cuba
LanguageSpanish

Plot

The plot explores the theme of incest.[1] Upon the worsening of his grandfather's Alzheimer's disease, sullen security guard Óscar meets at the hospital with lively sister María (accompanied by French boyfriend Jean) whom with he has a fraught relationship.[2][3]

Cast

Production

A Spanish-Cuban co-production, the film was produced by La Loma Blanca PC alongside 14 Pies Audiovisual and ICAIC, with the participation of Canal Sur.[3] Shooting in the province of Almería (including locations such Cabo de Gata and El Cañarete) wrapped in March 2010.[6]

Release

The film screened at the 35th Toronto International Film Festival on 14 September 2010.[7] Distributed by Golem Distribución, it was released theatrically in Spain on 18 March 2011.[8]

Reception

Jonathan Holland of Variety assessed that despite being "undeniably accomplished, visually striking and superbly played by Rodrigo Saenz de Heredia as its tightly-wound protag", the film "ultimately plays as too leisurely and detached for all but fest auds".[3]

Mirito Torreiro of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising the "extraordinary mise-en-scène", but negatively assessing the (excessive) "hieratism" displayed by the male protagonist.[2]

Sergio F. Pinilla of Cinemanía rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, considering it to be an example of "intimate, risky and honest cinema", which were it to be authored by Louis Malle, it would be deemed a masterpiece.[9]

Accolades
Year Award CategoryNominee(s) ResultRef.
201221st Actors and Actresses Union AwardsBest New ActorRodrigo Sáenz de HerediaNominated[10][11]

See also

References
  1. Ortiz Sevilla, Braulio (10 October 2013). "El monstruo descubre al prójimo". Diario de Sevilla. Grupo Joly.
  2. Torreiro, Mirito (18 February 2011). "La mitad de Óscar". Fotogramas.
  3. Holland, Jonathan (20 September 2010). "Half of Oscar". Variety.
  4. "Verónica Echegui, Rodrigo Saénz de Heredia y Antonio de la Torre en 'La mitad de Óscar'". Europa Press. 15 March 2011.
  5. "El oscuro pasado de «La mitad de Óscar»". La Nueva España. Prensa Ibérica. 26 October 2010.
  6. Rodríguez, Rosabel (4 March 2010). "El triple salto mortal de Martín Cuenca". El País.
  7. "Martín Cuenca presenta 'La mitad de Óscar', en el Festival Internacional de Toronto". Ideal. 16 September 2010.
  8. "El almeriense Martín Cuenca prepara el rodaje de 'Caníbal'". Diario de Almería. 4 September 2011.
  9. Pinilla, Sergio F. (11 March 2011). "La mitad de Óscar". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  10. "XXI Premios de la Unión de Actores". Fotogramas. 7 June 2012.
  11. "XXI Premios de la Unión de Actores". Fotogramas. 19 June 2012.
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