Hard Times (2005 film)

Hard Times (Spanish: Malas temporadas) is a 2005 Spanish drama film directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca from a screenplay by Martín Cuenca and Alejandro Hernández which stars Javier Cámara, Nathalie Poza, Eman Xor Oña, and Leonor Watling.

Hard Times
Theatrical release poster
SpanishMalas temporadas
Directed byManuel Martín Cuenca
Screenplay by
Story byAlejandro Hernández
Produced by
  • Fernando Victoria de Lecea
  • Pedro Zaratiegui
Starring
CinematographyDavid Carretero
Edited byÁngel Hernández Zoido
Music byPedro Barbadillo
Production
companies
  • Iberrota Films
  • Golem
  • Loma Blanca
Distributed byGolem
Release dates
  • 22 September 2005 (2005-09-22) (Zinemaldia)
  • 18 November 2005 (2005-11-18) (Spain)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

Plot edit

Set in Madrid, the plot concerns about connected personal stories: those of a former inmate adapting to life out of jail (Mikel), a NGO worker (Ana), and a Cuban immigrant and smuggler of cigars and artwork (Carlos).[1][2]

Cast edit

Release edit

The film was presented at the 53rd San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2005.[4][5] It was theatrically released in Spain on 18 November 2005.[3]

Reception edit

Fionnuala Halligan of ScreenDaily deemed the film to be "nicely-modulated and finely-acted", considering that, despite its "downbeat perspective", Hard Times is a "rewarding and challenging" film.[2]

Javier Ocaña of El País considered that even if, as almost always with choral stories, some of the stories work better than others, the whole is "very well crafted", underpinning a portrait of current-day sorrows "as real as it is pessimistic".[6]

Accolades edit

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2005 San Sebastián International Film Festival Sebastiane Award Won [7]
2006 20th Goya Awards Best Actress Nathalie Poza Nominated [8]
15th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Film Actor in a Leading Role Javier Cámara Nominated [9][10]
Best Film Actress in a Leading Role Nathalie Poza Nominated

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "Martín Cuenca exhibe en San Sebastián su segundo largometraje, con Javier Cámara y Leonor Watling". El Mundo. 22 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Halligan, Fionnuala (22 September 2005). "Hard Times (Malas Temporadas)". ScreenDaily.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Malas temporadas". elmundo.es. January 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  4. ^ Harguindey, Ángel S. (23 September 2005). "'Malas temporadas', de Martín Cuenca, y un 'thriller' intimista". El País.
  5. ^ Cerviño, M. (23 September 2005). "Martín Cuenca presenta ´Malas Temporadas´ en San Sebastián". Diario de Mallorca. Prensa Ibérica.
  6. ^ Ocaña, Javier (18 November 2005). "Enigmas y pesares cotidianos". El País.
  7. ^ "Premian cinta "Joven alocada" en San Sebastián". La Razón. 28 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Malas temporadas". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Belén Rueda, Imanol Arias y José Luis Gil optan a los Premios Unión de Actores". verTele!. 31 March 2006 – via eldiario.es.
  10. ^ "Manuel Alexandre y Candela Peña, premiados por la Unión de Actores en la categoría de cine". El País. 30 May 2006.