Amanece is a 2023 Spanish drama film written and directed by Juan Francisco Viruega (in his directorial debut feature) which stars Aura Garrido, Iria del Río, and Isabel Ampudia.

Amanece
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJuan Francisco Viruega
Screenplay byJuan Francisco Viruega
Produced by
  • Joaquín Hidalgo
  • Juan Francisco Viruega
Starring
  • Iria del Río
  • Aura Garrido
  • Isabel Ampudia
  • Antonio Gómiz
  • Rafa Jiménez
  • Sebastián Haro
  • Rebeca Sala
CinematographyPepe de la Rosa
Edited byMikel Iribarren
Music byTagore González
Production
companies
  • Amanece Audiovisual AIE
  • Factoría de Creación
  • Juan Francisco Viruega
Distributed bySyldavia Cinema
Release dates
  • 28 September 2023 (2023-09-28) (Zinemaldia)
  • 17 November 2023 (2023-11-17) (Spain)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

Plot

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After ending a relationship with her significant other, Alba returns home, a place where she left her younger sister and her mother, now very ill.[1]

Cast

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Production

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The film is an Amanece Audiovisual AIE, Juan Francisco Viruega, and Factoría de Creación production, with the participation of Canal Sur and backing from Diputación de Almería, Almería Film Festival [es], Escuela Universitaria de Artes TAI, Mubox Studio and La Pañoleta Films.[4] Shooting locations in the province of Almería included the Tabernas Desert and the Cabo de Gata.[5]

Release

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The film had its world premiere in the 'Made in Spain' programme of the 71st San Sebastián International Film Festival on 28 September 2023.[6][7] Distributed by Syldavia Cinema,[4] it was released theatrically in Spain on 17 November 2023.

Reception

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Ekaitz Ortega of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 63 points ('acceptable'), citing the performances, the cinematography, and its ambition as hallmarks while citing punctual writing issues and the film's pace as its worst features.[8]

Manuel J. Lombardo of Diario de Sevilla rated the film with 2 stars, writing that the helmer's search for "lyricism and the symbolism of maternal-filial bonds" is not always [adequately] accompanied by the "performances and the somewhat pretentious, overbearing and transcendental tone".[9]

Oti Rodríguez Marchante of ABC rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, stressing that, rather than the story itself, the really essential bits about the film are the way it tells it and the excellent presence and performances delivered by Garrido, del Río, and the "impressive" Isabel Ampudia.[10]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2024
3rd Carmen Awards Best Supporting Actor Sebastián Haro Nominated [11][12]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ ""Amanece": La sal, el mar y el desierto de Almería, testigos de un reencuentro doloroso". La Vanguardia. 10 November 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Domingo Benito, María (17 November 2023). "'Amanece': Aura Garrido vuelve a sus raíces para encontrarse a sí misma en este clip de la película". ecartelera.
  3. ^ a b c d e Herrero, Juan Ignacio (6 November 2023). "Aura Garrido, Iria del Río e Isabel Ampudia, en 'Amanece' el primer largometraje de Juan Carlos Viruega". Los 40.
  4. ^ a b Sánchez Sequera, Marco (14 November 2023). "'Amanece' – estreno en cines 17 de noviembre". Audiovisual451.
  5. ^ Fernández, C. (16 November 2023). "'Amanece', la ópera prima de Juan Francisco Viruega llega este viernes al cine Albéniz con un coloquio". Málaga Hoy. Grupo Joly.
  6. ^ Martínez, Evaristo (7 October 2023). "'Amanece' se pone de largo en San Sebastián". La Voz de Almería.
  7. ^ "El primer largo del almeriense Juan Francisco Viruega se presenta en San Sebastián". Ideal. Grupo Vocento. 30 August 2023.
  8. ^ Ortega, Ekaitz (16 November 2023). "Crítica de Amanece: un debut intimista con gran plantel femenino". HobbyConsolas.
  9. ^ Lombardo, Manuel J. (18 November 2023). "Mujeres, paisaje, espejismo". Diario de Sevilla. Grupo Joly.
  10. ^ Rodríguez Marchante, Oti (18 November 2023). "'Amanece' (***): Asombrosa rima de mujeres y paisaje". ABC.
  11. ^ "Los Premios Carmen dan a conocer desde Huelva todos los nominados de su tercera edición". Huelva24. Grupo Vocento. 20 December 2023.
  12. ^ "José Luis Gómez pone en pie la Casa Colón en los premios Carmen". Huelva Ya. 4 February 2024.