Last Wishes (Spanish: Últimas voluntades)[1] is a 2023 Spanish thriller drama film directed by Joaquín Carmona Hidalgo which stars Óscar Casas, Fernando Tejero, Nerea Camacho, Adriana Ozores, and Carlos Santos.

Last Wishes
Theatrical release poster
SpanishÚltimas voluntades
Directed byJoaquín Carmona Hidalgo
Screenplay by
  • Salvador Serrano
  • Helio Mira
Starring
CinematographyKike González
Edited byÁngel Armada
Music byCarla F. Benedicto
Production
companies
  • Biopic Films
  • Maskeline
  • La Charito Films
Distributed byAlfa Pictures
Release date
  • 30 June 2023 (2023-06-30)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

Plot

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The plot concerns a father (Coque) trying to win back forgiveness from his son (Andrés) after leaving prison. Coque abandoned Andrés when the latter was a toddler.[2]

Cast

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Production

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The screenplay was penned by Salvador Serrano (also featuring as a cast member) and Helio Mira.[3][2] The film was produced by Biopic Films and Maskeline, a Visual Foundry alongside La Charito Films, with the participation of RTVE and 7 Televisión Región de Murcia.[2][3][4] It also had support from the ayuntamientos of Molina de Segura, Fuente Álamo, Mazarrón and Calasparra.[5] Shooting began in December 2021, but production was halted on 19 December due to a localised COVID-19 outbreak which affected several crew members.[6] Once resumed in 2022, some characters were recast due to schedule obligations of the original cast, and thus Àlex Monner, Pepa Aniorte [es] and Alberto San Juan were replaced by Óscar Casas, Adriana Ozores and Carlos Santos.[7] Shooting re-started from scratch after the hiatus.[3] It was shot in the Region of Murcia, including locations such as Murcia, Molina de Segura, Cartagena, Calasparra, Fuente Álamo, and Cehegín (Valentín).[8]

Release

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Upon the wrap of shooting, the film's theatrical release was tentatively expected for late 2022.[2] Distributed by Alfa Pictures,[9] Last Wishes was released theatrically in Spain on 30 June 2023.

Reception

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Philipp Engel of Cinemanía rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, underscoring it to be a "a mix of genres that does not quite work".[9]

Fausto Fernández of Fotogramas rated the "more than remarkable" film 4 out of 5 stars, finding a likeness of Tejero's Coque to Michael Caine's Carter in Get Carter.[10]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2023
14th Hollywood Music in Media Awards Best Score – Independent Film (Foreign Language) Carla F. Benedicto Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Just Spainted. New Spanish Films. Summer/Fall" (PDF). ICAA. 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Cantero, Celia (1 April 2022). "Finaliza el rodaje de 'Últimas voluntades', un thriller de amor, culpa y segundas oportunidades". Murcia Plaza.
  3. ^ a b c Boquerini. "'Últimas voluntades', un thriller de superación e intriga". El Correo.
  4. ^ "Comienza el rodaje de 'Últimas voluntades', participada por RTVE, con Fernando Tejero y Oscar Casas". RTVE. 10 March 2022.
  5. ^ ""Últimas voluntades", un "thriller" de amor, culpa y segundas oportunidades". La Vanguardia. 1 April 2022.
  6. ^ "Un brote de coronavirus obliga a interrumpir el rodaje de la película 'Últimas voluntades' en la Región". La Verdad. 19 December 2021.
  7. ^ "La película murciana 'Últimas voluntades' vuelve al rodaje el próximo 28 de febrero". La Verdad. 23 February 2022.
  8. ^ Fernández, Cristina (3 April 2022). "El rodaje por dentro de 'Últimas voluntades': emoción a flor de piel endulzada con paparajotes". Murcia Plaza.
  9. ^ a b Engel, Philipp (28 June 2023). "'Últimas voluntades': el thriller queer de Fernando Tejero". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  10. ^ Fernández, Fausto (2 July 2023). "Crítica de 'Últimas voluntades', cine negro con el mejor Fernando Tejero en modo Michael Caine". Fotogramas.
  11. ^ Grein, Paul (16 November 2023). "Billie Eilish's 'Barbie' Song, Robbie Robertson's Scorsese Score Honored at 2023 Hollywood Music in Media Awards". Billboard. Retrieved 16 November 2023.