The film ‘As Bestas’ sweeps the 37th edition of the Goya Awards in Spain

THE MOVIE In the best way (Las Bestias) was the great winner of the 37th edition of the Goya Awards, which took place on Saturday night in the Andalusian city of Seville.

The film, which follows a middle-aged French couple who encounter shocking violence from locals after moving to a Galician town to be close to nature, won nine of the 17 categories it had been nominated for. nominated. These included Best Picture, Best Director for Rodrigo Sorogoyen, and Best Actor for Denis Menochet.

the plot of In the best way is based on a true story: that of the Dutch citizen Martin Verfondern, who was murdered by a neighbor in the northwestern region of Spain after a series of disputes.

model 77 (Prison 77) was the grand finalist, a film set during the Transition to democracy in Spain at the end of the 70s, and which tells the story of inmates who have been imprisoned for common crimes but never had the chance of an amnesty like political prisoners did.

That production took five Goyas, the majority in the technical categories.

and then came five wolves (Lullaby), a story about motherhood. That film won three awards: Best Actress for Laia Costa, Best Supporting Actress for Susi Sánchez, and Best New Director for Alauda Ruiz de Azua.

The glamorous event was not only attended by the stars of Spanish cinema, but also by politicians.

Presenters Clara Lago and Antonio de la Torre used their platform to launch some criticism of lawmakers, including Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, calling particular attention to Spain’s struggling hospitals and doctors’ offices.

His comments came on the eve of a large protest planned in Madrid for this Sunday in defense of public health.

Another great protagonist of the evening, although posthumously, was the director Carlos Saura, who passed away this Thursday at the age of 91 before being able to receive the Goya of honor for his film career.

Saura’s career spanned more than half a century, and he won a number of awards, both nationally and internationally, for works such as angelic cousin, Breeding ravens and Mom turns 100.

“He was missing a day to enjoy his honorary Goya,” said Lago. “His contribution from him was such that we would need 100 ceremonies like this to honor his legacy.”

Saula’s widow, Eulalia Ramón, read a note that Saura left before he died.

“Thank you to everyone who has thought of me,” her late husband wrote. “I have been very lucky making more than 50 films, pushing the limits that I set for myself as a young man. Thank you very much to everyone who has worked with me during the wonderful work of making a film, particularly my favorite actors and actresses, some of whom are no longer with us.’

After the event, the Prime Minister, Pedro Sánchez, of the Socialist Party, published a tweet congratulating all the nominees and winners, adding: “If there is something that unites us, it is culture.”

The leader of the main opposition Popular Party, for his part, was also present at the event. Alberto Nuñez Feijoo said that it was “a pleasure” to be present “supporting culture.”

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