Astronauts (film)

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

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

Production

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

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

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

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
200519th Goya AwardsBest New DirectorSanti AmodeoNominated[10]
Best New ActressTeresa Hurtado de OryNominated

See also

References