The Hold-Up (Spanish: El palo) is a 2001 Spanish heist comedy film directed by Eva Lesmes [es] from a screenplay by Luis Marías [eu] which stars Adriana Ozores, Malena Alterio, Maribel Verdú, and Carmen Maura.

The Hold-Up
Theatrical release poster
SpanishEl palo
Directed byEva Lesmes
Screenplay byLuis Marías
Produced byCésar Benítez
Starring
CinematographyGonzalo F. Berridi
Edited byMª Elena Sáinz de Rozas
Music byManuel Villalta
Production
company
BocaBoca Producciones
Distributed byColumbia TriStar Films de España
Release date
  • 4 May 2001 (2001-05-04)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

Plot

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The plot follows an attempt of bank heist pulled by four women (including a cleaner working in the target bank, a pregnant hairdresser, and a street urchin).[1]

Cast

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Production

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The screenplay was written by Luis Marías [eu].[5] 1962 comedy Atraco a las tres was an inspiration for The Hold-Up.[1] The film, Eva Lesmes' sophomore feature, was produced by Bocaboca in association with Telecinco.[6][5]

Release

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Distributed by Columbia TriStar,[1] the film was theatrically released in Spain on 4 May 2001.[2]

Reception

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Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film to be an "engaging femme comedy built around an unlikely bank heist" confirming helmer's talent for comedy.[1]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2002 16th Goya Awards Best New Actress Malena Alterio Nominated [7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f Holland, Jonathan (8 June 2001). "The Hold-Up". Variety.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Eva Lesmes dirige 'El Palo', un film protagonizado por Carmen Maura, Maribel Verdú, Adriana Ozores y Malena Alterio". Europa Press. 4 May 2001.
  3. ^ a b c "Hold-up" (PDF). ARTE Magazine (51). ARTE France: 12. 20 November 2003. ISSN 1168-6707.
  4. ^ "El palo". Fotogramas. 29 May 2008.
  5. ^ a b "'El palo', de Eva Lesmes, en 'Historia de nuestro cine'". Diez Minutos. 29 November 2021.
  6. ^ "Cuatro mujeres dan un cómico atraco en la película 'El palo'". El País. 4 May 2001.
  7. ^ Viaje al cine español. 25 años de los Premios Goya (PDF), Lunwerg, 2011, p. 285, ISBN 978-84-9785-791-8