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Official Competition
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Wikipedia article
'Official Competition' is a 2021 comedy film directed by Gastn Duprat and Mariano Cohn, from a screenplay by Duprat, Cohn and Andrs Duprat. It stars Penlope Cruz, Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martnez.
Plot
An aged multimillionaire, Humberto Surez, seeking to leave a legacy decides to finance a motion picture directed by eccentric Palme d'Or laureate Lola Cuevas. The screenplay is adapted from an award-winning novel about a man who is unable to forgive his brother for killing their parents in a drunk-driving accident. The two brothers are to be played by stage actor Ivn Torres and celebrity actor Flix Rivero, whose differing methods cause them to clash during rehearsals.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
* Penlope Cruz as Lola Cuevas
* Antonio Banderas as Flix Rivero
* Oscar Martnez as Ivn Torres
* Jos Luis Gmez as Humberto Surez
* Manolo Solo as Matas
* Nagore Aranburu as Julia
* Irene Escolar as Diana Surez
* Pilar Castro as Violeta
* as Daro
* as Ariel
}}
Production
In January 2020 casting was announced featuring Antonio Banderas, Penlope Cruz, Oscar Martnez, Pilar Castro, Irene Escolar, Carlos Hiplito, Jos Luis Gmez, Nagore Aranburu, Koldo Olabarri and Juan Grandinetti with Gastn Duprat & Mariano Cohn directing from a screenplay penned alongside . Cruz and Banderas had only shared onscreen time before during two minutes of Pedro Almodvar's 2013 film 'I'm So Excited!'.
The film was produced by The Mediapro Studio, with the participation of RTVE, TV3, and Orange Espaa.
Principal photography began in February 2020. In March 2020, production was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shooting resumed in September 2020 and the wrap was announced in October 2020.
Release
'Official Competition' had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on 4 September 2021. It also screened at the Toronto International Film Festival in mid-September 2021. Buena Vista International released the film on 25 February 2022 in Spain. Protagonist Pictures handled the international distribution rights.
Star Distribution acquired distribution rights for Latin America. In the case of Argentina, the film was released on 17 March 2022. IFC Films purchased the theatrical release rights for the United States.
Reception
On the review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, 94% of 67 reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.5/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Its premise may resonate most with hardcore film fans, but 'Official Competition's tight focus and sharp humor have a universal appeal."
At the 2021 Cinfest Sudbury International Film Festival, it won the award for Outstanding International Feature. At the 2021 Vancouver International Film Festival, it won the Audience Award for most popular film in the Galas and Special Presentations program.
Accolades
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| align = "center" | 2022 || 30th Actors and Actresses Union Awards || Best Actress in an International Production || Penlope Cruz || ||
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See also
* List of Spanish films of 2022
References
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