The Hold-Up (Spanish: El palo) is a 2001 Spanish heist comedy film directed by Eva Lesmes from a screenplay by Luis Marías which stars Adriana Ozores, Malena Alterio, Maribel Verdú, and Carmen Maura.
| The Hold-Up | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Spanish | El palo |
| Directed by | Eva Lesmes |
| Screenplay by | Luis Marías |
| Produced by | César Benítez |
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Gonzalo F. Berridi |
| Edited by | Mª Elena Sáinz de Rozas |
| Music by | Manuel Villalta |
Production company | BocaBoca Producciones |
| Distributed by | Columbia TriStar Films de España |
Release date |
|
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Plot
editThe 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
edit- Adriana Ozores as Lola[2]
- Malena Alterio as Pecholata[2]
- Maribel Verdú as Silvia[2]
- Carmen Maura as Mayte[2]
- Jaime Pujol as Gustavo[1]
- Juan Gea as bank's manager[1]
- Joaquín Climent as Enrique[3]
- Antonia Martínez as the grandmother[3]
- Alejandro Sigüenza as Daniel[3]
- Diana Palazón[4]
Production
editThe screenplay was written by Luis Marías.[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
editDistributed by Columbia TriStar,[1] the film was theatrically released in Spain on 4 May 2001.[2]
Reception
editJonathan 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
edit| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | 16th Goya Awards | Best New Actress | Malena Alterio | Nominated | [7] |
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f Holland, Jonathan (8 June 2001). "The Hold-Up". Variety.
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b c "Hold-up" (PDF). ARTE Magazine (51). ARTE France: 12. 20 November 2003. ISSN 1168-6707.
- ^ "El palo". Fotogramas. 29 May 2008.
- ^ a b "'El palo', de Eva Lesmes, en 'Historia de nuestro cine'". Diez Minutos. 29 November 2021.
- ^ "Cuatro mujeres dan un cómico atraco en la película 'El palo'". El País. 4 May 2001.
- ^ Viaje al cine español. 25 años de los Premios Goya (PDF), Lunwerg, 2011, p. 285, ISBN 978-84-9785-791-8