The Dinner Guest (Spanish: El comensal) is a 2022 Spanish drama film directed by Ángeles González-Sinde based on the novel by Gabriela Ybarra starring Susana Abaitua and Ginés García Millán alongside Adriana Ozores.
| The Dinner Guest | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El comensal |
| Directed by | Ángeles González-Sinde |
| Screenplay by |
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| Based on | El comensal by Gabriela Ybarra |
| Produced by | Gerardo Herrero |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Juan Carlos Gómez |
| Edited by | Irene Blecua |
| Music by | Antonio Garamendi |
Production companies |
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| Distributed by | A Contracorriente Films |
Release dates |
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| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Plot
editSet in two different timelines, in 1977 in Bilbao and 2011 in Navarre, the plot follows the processes of pain and grief of Fernando (caused by his father's kidnapping by ETA) and Iciar (Fernando's daughter; caused by her mother Adela's terminal cancer).[1]
Cast
edit- Susana Abaitua as Iciar[2]
- Ginés García Millán as Fernando[2]
- Adriana Ozores as Adela[2]
- Fernando Oyagüez as Fernando Arriaga[3]
- Iñaki Miramón as abuelo[2]
- Ane Gabarain[4]
Production
editThe screenplay is based on the novel El comensal by Gabriela Ybarra, which incorporates autobiographical experiences of Gabriela Ybarra around her grandfather Javier Ybarra's killing in 1977.[4][1] The film was produced by Tornasol, Okolin Producciones Cinematográficas, and EnBabia Films with the participation of RTVE and Movistar Plus+.[1]
Release
editSelected for the official selection of the BCN Film Fest, the film world premiered on 24 April 2024.[2][5] Distributed by A Contracorriente Films,[6] the film was released theatrically in Spain on 27 May 2022.
Reception
editPaula Arantzazu Ruiz of Cinemanía rated the film 2½ out of 5 stars, writing that the initial rhythm cannot be sustained due to the comings and goings between timelines.[6]
Pere Vall of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting Abaitua (a portentous dramatic actress) and the film's use of silences, glances and light as the film's best.[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c "Cine RTVE.es estrena el tráiler de 'El comensal', la nueva película de Ángeles González-Sinde". rtve.es. 22 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Úbeda-Portugués, Alberto (25 May 2022). "Los estrenos del 27 de mayo. 'El comensal'. La memoria del dolor". Aisge.
- ^ "Fernando Oyagüez en 'El comensal': "No tengo duda de que es el papel más relevante de mi carrera"". Europa Press. 4 June 2022.
- ^ a b "'El comensal', una película sobre ETA". Las Provincias. Grupo Vocento. 27 May 2022.
- ^ Meseguer, Astrid (24 April 2024). "Ángeles González-Sinde vuelve al cine para contar las heridas del terrorismo de ETA en 'El comensal'".
- ^ a b Ruiz, Paula Arantzazu (26 May 2024). "Crítica de 'El comensal'". Cinemanía.
- ^ Vall, Pere (26 May 2022). "Crítica de 'El comensal', de Ángeles González-Sinde". Fotogramas.