Astronauts (Spanish: Astronautas)[1] is a 2003 Spanish film written and directed by Santi Amodeo which stars Nancho Novo and Teresa Hurtado de Ory. It could be classified as a bittersweet comedy.[2]

Astronauts
Theatrical release poster
SpanishAstronautas
Directed bySanti Amodeo
Screenplay bySanti Amodeo
Starring
CinematographyAlex Catalán
Edited byJ. Manuel G. Moyano
Music byLavadora
Production
companies
  • Tesela PC
  • La Zanfoña Producciones
Distributed byAlta Classics
Release dates
  • 27 October 2003 (2003-10-27) (Seminci)
  • 5 March 2004 (2004-03-05) (Spain)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish
Budget1.6 million

Plot

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The plot tracks the (im)possible relationship between Daniel (a misanthrope and recovering heroin abuser) and Laura (a teenager without a family who, initially bemused, ends up trying to fix Daniel's life).[3][4]

Cast

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Production

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Astronauts is the solo debut feature of Santi Amodeo, who had previously co-helmed The Pilgrim Factor in tandem with Alberto Rodríguez.[6] A Tesela PC and La Zanfoña production, it had the collaboration of Canal Sur and Canal+.[7] In addition to Seville, shooting locations also included Los Alcornocales and the port of San Fernando.[4] The film boasted a budget of around €1.6 million.[4]

Release

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The film was presented at the 48th Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) in October 2003.[8] Distributed by Alta Classics,[5] the film was theatrically released in Spain on 5 March 2004.[9]

Reception

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Casimiro Torreiro of El País deemed Astronauts to be "a film to be loved", "a rara avis of those that, with its flaws and imperfections, we wish we could watch more often".[3]

Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film to be an "unpolished gem whose freshness and originality far outweigh its occasional indulgences".[5]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2005 19th Goya Awards Best New Director Santi Amodeo Nominated [10]
Best New Actress Teresa Hurtado de Ory Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Astronautas". Cineuropa. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  2. ^ Sánchez Noriega, José Luis. "Críticas del cine español (III)". Biblioteca Virtual Miguel de Cervantes. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  3. ^ a b Torreiro, Casimiro (5 March 2004). "Interesante marcianada". El País.
  4. ^ a b c Silió, Elisa (5 March 2004). "'Astronautas', un cuento de inadaptados". El País.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g Holland, Jonathan (16 March 2004). "Astronauts". Variety.
  6. ^ Estrada, Javier (10 March 2004). "Santiago Amodeo: «Me interesa ponerme en la piel del que es criticado por ser diferente»". Metrópoli – via El Mundo.
  7. ^ Carrasco, María José (14 June 2003). "Un astronauta en la Alameda". El País.
  8. ^ "Amodeo presenta en Valladolid su ´ópera prima´ ´Astronautas´". Córdoba. Grupo Zeta. 28 October 2003.
  9. ^ "Astronautas". Fotogramas. 29 May 2008.
  10. ^ "Astronautas". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 2 October 2022.