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Half of Oscar

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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

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.

Plot

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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

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Production

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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

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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

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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

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2012 21st Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best New Actor Rodrigo Sáenz de Heredia Nominated [10][11]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Ortiz Sevilla, Braulio (10 October 2013). "El monstruo descubre al prójimo". Diario de Sevilla. Grupo Joly.
  2. ^ a b Torreiro, Mirito (18 February 2011). "La mitad de Óscar". Fotogramas.
  3. ^ a b c Holland, Jonathan (20 September 2010). "Half of Oscar". Variety.
  4. ^ a b c "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.