The Field of Stars

The Field of Stars
Theatrical release poster
SpanishEl prado de las estrellas
Directed byMario Camus
Written byMario Camus
Produced by
  • Rodolfo Montero de Palacio
  • Nano Montero Palacio
Starring
CinematographyHans Burmann
Edited byJosé María Biurrun
Music bySebastián Mariné
Production
companies
  • Cre-Acción Films
  • 2 y 4 Films
  • Proverfilms
Release dates
  • 1 November 2007 (2007-11-01) (Seminci)
  • 11 January 2008 (2008-01-11) (Spain)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

The Field of Stars (Spanish: El prado de las estrellas)[1] is a 2007 Spanish drama film written and directed by Mario Camus which stars Álvaro de Luna, Marián Aguilera, José Manuel Cervino, Antonio de la Torre, Rodolfo Sancho, and Mari González. It is Camus' swan song.

Plot

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Set in rural Cantabria, the plot tracks several intertwined stories, including an elder man (Alfonso) paying visits to Nanda, who lives in a geriatric centre and the budding cycling talent of young Martín (brother of Luisa, an independent woman and social worker in the aforementioned geriatric centre who falls romantically for Ramiro, a mechanic). Martín is helped by Alfonso and his pal Tasio in order to fulfill his potential.[1][2][3]

Cast

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Production

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The screenplay was penned by Mario Camus.[7] The film was produced by Cre-Acción Films alongside 2 y 4 Films and Proverfilms.[8] Filming began on 16 October 2006 and wrapped in December 2006.[8] Shooting locations included Cantabria (Comillas, Santander, Torrelavega, Valderredible, Cabuérniga, portillo de Lunada, and La Cavada [es]) and the Province of Palencia (comarca of Aguilar de Campoo).[6][8]

Release

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The film was selected for screening at the official selection of the 52nd Valladolid International Film Festival, where it premiered on 1 November 2007.[9] It was theatrically released in Spain on 11 January 2008.[10]

Reception

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Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film to be "an understated, cross-generational rural drama whose general air of lethargy is redeemed by a decent central perf and the beauty of its locations", in which the director "plays out its themes of emotional uncertainty, memory and loss to unconvincing effect".[1]

Carlos Marañón of Cinemanía rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, positively pointing out that what in advance appeared to be a "tourism advertorial" paid by the Cantabrian government turns out to be simple story of well-performed solitudes, with an open ending.[11]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2008 22nd Goya Awards Best Actor Álvaro de Luna Nominated [12]
Best New Actor Óscar Abad Nominated
2009 64th CEC Medals Best Director Mario Camus Nominated [13]
Best Original Screenplay Mario Camus Nominated

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Holland, Jonathan (21 January 2008). "The Field of Stars". Variety.
  2. ^ "Una de ciclistas". Granada Hoy. 11 January 2008.
  3. ^ "'El prado de las estrellas'". 20minutos.es. 24 October 2007.
  4. ^ a b c d "Los dramas de las batallas personales". Diario Crítico. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  5. ^ Auñón, Paco (21 April 2017). "La actriz conquense Sonsoles Benedicto cumple 75 años preparando nuevos papeles". Cadena SER.
  6. ^ a b "Mario Camus presenta hoy 'El Prado de las Estrellas', segunda representante española a la Seminci de Valladolid". La Opinión de Málaga. 1 November 2007.
  7. ^ "'El prado de las estrellas', en 'Historia de nuestro cine'". Diez Minutos. 21 June 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Peña, Maxi de la (2 November 2007). "Mario Camus narra una fábula de ausencias, búsquedas y encuentros". El Diario Montañés.
  9. ^ Iglesias, Félix (2 November 2007). "Mario Camus presenta en la Seminci «El prado de las estrellas»". ABC.
  10. ^ "El prado de las estrellas". Fotogramas. 29 May 2008.
  11. ^ Marañón, Carlos (11 January 2008). "El prado de las estrellas". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  12. ^ "El prado de las estrellas". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 8 August 2022.
  13. ^ "Medallas del CEC a la producción española de 2008". Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos. Archived from the original on 2020-08-01. Retrieved 8 August 2022.