Julieta (film)

Julieta

English theatrical release poster
Julieta
Directed by Pedro Almodóvar
Produced by Agustín Almodóvar
Pedro Almodóvar
Esther García
Written by Pedro Almodóvar
Based on "Chance", "Soon" and "Silence", three short stories, from the book Runaway (2004) by Alice Munro
Starring Emma Suárez
Adriana Ugarte
Music by Alberto Iglesias
Cinematography Jean-Claude Larrieu
Edited by José Salcedo
Production
company
Distributed by Warner Bros.
Release dates
  • 8 April 2016 (2016-04-08) (Spain)
Running time
 96 minutes
Country Spain
Language Spanish
Box office $1.75 million

Julieta is a 2016 Spanish film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar based on three short stories from the book Runaway (2004) by Alice Munro. The film marks Almodóvar's 20th feature and stars Emma Suárez and Adriana Ugarte as older and younger versions of the film's protagonist, Julieta, alongside Daniel Grao, Inma Cuesta, Darío Grandinetti, Michelle Jenner and Rossy de Palma.

The film opened on 8 April 2016 in Spain to positive reviews. It will make its international debut at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, where it has been selected to compete for the Palme d'Or, and will be released across the world throughout the summer of 2016.

Synopsis

Julieta lives in Madrid and has just lost her husband Xoan. Her daughter, Antía, has just turned 18 and decides to run away without any explanation. Julieta searches by all means to find her, but the only thing she discovers is how little she knows her daughter.

Cast

Production

Julieta marks Almodóvar's 20th feature film.[1] The film was inspired by "Chance", "Soon" and "Silence", three short stories, from the book Runaway (2004) by Alice Munro, which Almodóvar bought the film rights to in 2009,[2] though he later admitted that he had not been completely faithful to the source material.[3] It is his third film to be based on a foreign-language text, after Live Flesh (1997) and The Skin I Live In (2011).[4] He first titled the film Silencio (English: Silence), based on the title of one of the short stories, but changed it to Julieta in post-production to avoid confusion with Martin Scorsese's Silence, which will also be released in 2016.[5] Originally, Almodóvar envisioned making the film in English with English-speaking actresses and wanted to film in Canada, where Munro based her stories, finding locations in Vancouver.[2] He later dismissed the idea and, instead, searched for locations in the state of New York.[2] Unhappy at the prospect of filming in either country and uncomfortable with his ability to write and film in English, Almodóvar shelved the idea.[6] Years later, members of his production team suggested that the script should be revisited but, this time, setting the film in Spain and making it in Spanish.[2]

Almodóvar revealed the film's original title, Silencio, in an interview with the Financial Times after attending a preview of the musical of his film Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown at the Playhouse Theatre, London, in January 2015.[7] Silence is "the principal element that drives the worst things that happen to the main female protagonist", Almodóvar said. He also stated that the film was a return to drama and his "cinema of women",[7] but claimed that the tone was different to that of his other feminine dramas like The Flower of My Secret (1995), All About My Mother (1999) and Volver (2006).[8] He explained that he had finished the script, but was in the process of casting.[7] In March 2015, Rossy de Palma, who frequently appears in Almodóvar's films, confirmed she had a role in the film,[9] followed by the announcement that Emma Suárez and Adriana Ugarte were playing the older and younger versions of the film's protagonist.[10] El Deseo also revealed more casting the same month.[11]

Julieta went into production in April 2015[12] with Jean-Claude Larrieu on board as cinematographer and frequent collaborator Alberto Iglesias composing the film's score.[13] Sonia Grande, another frequent collaborator, was responsible for the film's costume design.[14] Filming was due to begin on 6 May 2015,[10] but actually commenced on 18 May 2015;[15] Madrid, the Galician Rías Altas, La Sierra in Huelva, the Pyrenees in Aragón, Panticosa and Fanlo were among the locations used for filming.[12][16][17] Almodóvar later stated that he wanted to use the deserted mountainous areas to mark a significant distance from the city of Madrid to emphasize how the characters change their outlooks on life according to the environment they are in.[18] In search of locations, Almodóvar collaborated with the Huesca Film Office.[19] Photographs from the set began to appear online towards the end of May 2015.[20] Filming was completed on 7 August 2015.[21]

In preparation for the film, Almodóvar told Suárez and Ugarte to read The Year of Magical Thinking (2005), a book on mourning, by U.S. author Joan Didion and Other Lives but Mine (2009) by French writer Emmanuel Carrère for inspiration.[22] Suárez also watched Elevator to the Gallows (1958) by Louis Malle.[23] On working with the pair, Almodóvar said: "I battled a lot with the actresses' tears, against the physical need to cry. It is a very expressive battle. It wasn't out of reservedness, but because I didn't want tears, what I wanted was dejection – the thing that stays inside after years and years of pain. I adore melodrama, it's a noble genre, a truly great genre, but I was very clear that I didn't want anything epic, I wanted something else. Put simply, this had to be a very dry, tearless film".[24]

Release

El Deseo first unveiled a teaser poster for the film online in July 2015,[25] followed by a teaser trailer and a new teaser poster in January 2016.[26][27] The film's international trailer and official poster were released online the following month.[28][29]

Julieta premiered at La Sala Phenomena Experience in Barcelona on 4 April 2016.[30] It was also due to be screened at the Yelmo Ideal cinema in Madrid on 6 April 2016,[31] where Almodóvar had planned to deliver interviews and have photos. However, due to the controversy surrounding his name being listed in the Panama Papers earlier that week, he cancelled the event and all other press engagements for the film in the run up to its release.[32][33] Julieta was released to the public on 8 April 2016 in Spain; a special screening was held in Almodóvar's hometown, Calzada de Calatrava, on the day to celebrate the release of his 20th feature film.[34] Though he did not attend, he recorded a special video message which was broadcast to the public watching at the event.[35]

After much speculation,[36][37][38] it was announced that the film will make its international debut at the 2016 Cannes Film Festival, where it will compete for the Palme d'Or.[39][40] It will be Almodóvar's fifth film to be selected for the competition. It will then be released on 18 May in France,[41] 26 May in Italy,[42] 23 June in Brazil,[43] 8 July in Mexico,[44] and 26 August in the UK,[45] though further international dates are to be confirmed. In the USA, the film will be distributed by Sony Pictures Classics, their ninth Almodóvar picture,[46] with its sales handled by FilmNation Entertainment, their third Almodóvar film.[47]

Reception

Critical reception

Reviews for Julieta were positive, generally much less critical than those Almodóvar received for his previous film I'm So Excited (2013). The film drew praise from critics in Spain; the majority of them applauding Almodóvar's direction and the performance of Emma Suárez.[48][49][50] La Vanguardia compared Julieta to the female-centric films of George Cukor and Kenji Mizoguchi while noting hints of Alfred Hitchcock in Almodóvar's script.[51] Alfonso Rivera of Cineuropa additionally observed influences of Ingmar Bergman, Krzysztof Kieślowski and Douglas Sirk in Almodóvar's style.[48] Vicente Molina Fox from El País believed Almodóvar had achieved the best script of his career with Julieta,[52] while Luis Martínez of El Mundo, despite finding issues with the narrative, thought Julieta was Almodóvar's "most difficult and most pure film".[49] ABC gave the film a mixed review; praising Suárez in the lead role but criticising narrative choices.[53] Carlos Boyero, the "sworn critical enemy" of Almodóvar,[54] penned an extremely negative review in El País, feeling distanced and unable to identify with the characters because of the film's style and cinematography.[55]

Internationally, critics have been similarly positive, praising the film for its "visual beauty and cinematic majesty" but lamenting "Almodóvar's script and his narrative decisions".[56] Screen Daily wrote a positive review, labelling the film "an anxious, tantalising creature which returns the Spanish director to the exclusive world of women" and stated that Almodóvar's "distinctive voice [grows] in texture and depth with each new production".[57] Variety had more mixed feelings, stating that while the film was "a welcome return to the female-centric storytelling that has earned Almodóvar his greatest acclaim, it is far from this reformed renegade's strongest or most entertaining work".[58] Similarly mixed, The Hollywood Reporter felt the film would satisfy fans of Almodóvar, but was too decorous in comparison to his previous films: "a politeness that's quite unlike the lusty vulgarity of the past. Some of us may not be sure we like it".[59]

Before its release, the Los Angeles Times predicted that the film could be a contender for the 89th Academy Awards.[60]

Box office

In Spain, the film opened in 203 cinemas. Over its opening weekend, it attracted 79,523 spectators, making €585,989.[61] This was reportedly Almodóvar's worst opening at the Spanish box office in 20 years.[62] Agustín Almodóvar later admitted that the film being a drama and not a comedy, making it harder to sell to a mainstream audience, coupled with the Panama Papers scandal which provoked Almodóvar to halt all press engagements in the run up to Julieta's release were the two main factors in the disappointing box office results.[63] In its first week, Julieta made €1,180,017 in Spain, overshadowed by films like The Jungle Book and Kiki, el amor se hace.[64] The following week, the film's box office earnings dropped by 43%, making €348,515;[65][66] in its third week, box office earnings continued to drop amassing €220,000,[67] taking the film's overall gross to €1.56 million ($1.75 million).[68]

References

  1. ↑ "Pedro Almodovar Announces New Cast for Film 'Silencio'". Latin Post. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Elsa Fernández-Santos (19 March 2016). "El drama más seco de Almodóvar". EL PAÍS. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  3. ↑ "Pedro Almodóvar: «Nunca he rodado tanto dolor»". SUR.es. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  4. ↑ "Alice Munro, la inspiración de la "Julieta" de Almodóvar". www.efe.com. 26 March 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  5. ↑ Pamela Rolfe (18 November 2015). "Pedro Almodovar Changes Title of Upcoming Film to Avoid Confusion With Scorsese". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  6. ↑ Javier Zurro. "Almodóvar se queda en silencio por Alice Munro". El Español. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  7. 1 2 3 "Tea with the FT: Pedro Almodóvar". Financial Times. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  8. ↑ John Hopewell. "Emma Suarez, Adriana Ugarte Set For Pedro Almodovar’s Next, ‘Silencio’". Variety. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  9. ↑ http://www.revistavanityfair.es/personajes/articulos/rossy-de-palma-pedro-almodovar-nunca-le-he-pedido-nada-nueva-pelicula-silencio-gran-via/20191
  10. 1 2 Elsa Fernández-Santos (27 March 2015). "‘Silencio’: Pedro Almodóvar is filming". EL PAÍS. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  11. ↑ "“SILENCIO”, LA NUEVA PELÍCULA DE PEDRO ALMODÓVAR". El Deseo. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  12. 1 2 "Pedro Almodovar Announces New Film 'Silencio'; Director Returns to Female-Driven Movie". Latin Post. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  13. ↑ "Almodovar producer talks new film ‘Silence’". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  14. ↑ http://blog.rtve.es/moda/2016/04/los-armarios-de-julieta-de-pedro-almodóvar.html
  15. ↑ http://www.sensacine.com/noticias/cine/noticia-18526713/
  16. ↑ EUROPA PRESS (24 April 2015). "Emma Suárez, sobre el rodaje con Almodóvar: "'Silencio es una historia que habla de la fatalidad del destino"". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  17. ↑ Blasting News. "'Silencio', dirigida por Almodovar, se rueda en Huesca". Blasting News. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  18. ↑ "Pedro Almodóvar se pone serio con 'Silencio'". Excélsior. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  19. ↑ Cadena SER (8 July 2015). "Almodóvar rompe el 'Silencio' en Panticosa". Cadena SER. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  20. ↑ "Action: Pedro Almodóvar starts shooting new film". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  21. ↑ http://www.elblogdecineespanol.com/?p=24225
  22. ↑ http://www.thelocal.es/20160420/pedro-almodvars-julieta-to-compete-at-cannes
  23. ↑ http://information.tv5monde.com/en-continu/avec-julieta-almodovar-signe-un-drame-aride-sur-la-maternite-103179
  24. ↑ http://elpais.com/elpais/2016/03/18/inenglish/1458309364_369885.html
  25. ↑ EL MUNDO (10 July 2015). "Primer póster de 'Silencio', lo nuevo de Pedro Almodóvar". ELMUNDO. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  26. ↑ El País (13 January 2016). "Nueva película: Pedro Almodóvar lanza el primer tráiler de ‘Julieta’ - Cultura - EL PAÍS". EL PAÍS. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  27. ↑ SensaCine. "'Julieta': 'Teaser' póster de la nueva película de Pedro Almodóvar". SensaCine.com. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  28. ↑ Beth Ryan. "Watch the first English trailer for Pedro Almodóvar's Julieta". The Telegraph. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  29. ↑ Jason Palmer (29 February 2016). "Pedro Almodóvar's Julieta gets a new poster & trailer - Entertainment Focus". Entertainment Focus. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  30. ↑ "Almodóvar, el gran ausente en el estreno de su propia película". ELMUNDO. 5 April 2016. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  31. ↑ "¡En exclusiva el preestreno de “Julieta” la nueva película de Pedro Almodóvar!". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  32. ↑ "Flash - Spain's Almodovar cancels junket for new film over 'Panama Papers' - France 24". France 24. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  33. ↑ http://flavorwire.com/570150/pedro-almodovar-cancels-press-for-his-alice-munro-based-new-film-following-panama-papers-leak
  34. ↑ "Calzada de Calatrava estrena «Julieta» el 8 de abril". abc. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  35. ↑ "- Gabinete Multimedia". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  36. ↑ Henry Barnes. "Woody Allen's Cafe Society to kick off Cannes 2016". the Guardian. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  37. ↑ "Cannes 2016 poster arrives as gossip about programme firms up". Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  38. ↑ Nancy Tartaglione. "Cannes 2016 Speculation: Penn, Allen, Almodovar, Refn & Maybe Spielberg? - Deadline". Deadline. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  39. ↑ "2016 Cannes Film Festival Announces Lineup". IndieWire. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  40. ↑ "Cannes 2016: Film Festival Unveils Official Selection Lineup". Variety. Retrieved 14 April 2016.
  41. ↑ "Almodóvar: les critiques espagnols mettent à mort Julieta". Le Figaro. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  42. ↑ http://blognotizie.info/200463/julieta-il-trailer-italiano-del-nuovo-film-di-pedro-almod.html
  43. ↑ http://www.adorocinema.com/noticias/filmes/noticia-121010/
  44. ↑ http://www.cinepremiere.com.mx/julieta-de-pedro-almodovar-58601.html
  45. ↑ http://www.entertainment-focus.com/film-section/film-news/pedro-almodovars-julieta-gets-a-new-poster-trailer/
  46. ↑ Dave McNary. "Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Silencio’ Bought by Sony Classics - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  47. ↑ John Hopewell,Dave McNary. "FilmNation Handles Pedro Almodovar’s ‘Silencio’ - Variety". Variety. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  48. 1 2 http://cineuropa.org/nw.aspx?t=newsdetail&did=307139
  49. 1 2 http://www.metropoli.com/cine/2016/04/07/5704c38322601ddd3a8b46c1.html
  50. ↑ http://www.elantepenultimomohicano.com/2016/04/critica-julieta-almodovar.html
  51. ↑ http://www.lavanguardia.com/cine/20160408/40972764083/critica-pelicula-julieta-jordi-batlle.html
  52. ↑ http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2016/04/10/actualidad/1460298725_986489.html
  53. ↑ http://hoycinema.abc.es/critica/20160408/abci-critica-julieta-201604071425.html
  54. ↑ http://next.liberation.fr/cinema/2016/04/08/le-scandale-de-panama-ruine-la-promo-du-nouveau-film-d-almodovar_1444921
  55. ↑ http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2016/04/07/actualidad/1460055337_583455.html
  56. ↑ Kristen Santer (8 April 2016). "'Julieta' Review Roundup: Pedro Almodóvar Gets Mixed Prai - Indiewire". Indiewire. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  57. ↑ http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/julieta-review/5102234.article
  58. ↑ http://variety.com/2016/film/reviews/pedro-almodovar-julieta-film-review-1201742261/
  59. ↑ http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/julieta-film-review-881691
  60. ↑ http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/envelope/la-et-mn-2017-oscars-best-picture-20160301-column.html
  61. ↑ http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2016/04/11/actualidad/1460360005_615344.html
  62. ↑ EL MUNDO (11 April 2016). "'Julieta', el peor estreno en la taquilla de Pedro Almodóvar en 20 años". ELMUNDO. Retrieved 13 April 2016.
  63. ↑ http://www.screendaily.com/news/agustn-almodvar-interview-producer-talks-panama-papers-julieta-box-office/5102722.article
  64. ↑ http://cultura.elpais.com/cultura/2016/04/18/actualidad/1460980722_863288.html
  65. ↑ http://www.audiovisual451.com/el-libro-de-la-selva-salva-la-taquilla-del-fin-de-semana-en-espana-que-crece-un-285-por-ciento/
  66. ↑ http://www.blogdecine.com/noticias/taquilla-espanola-el-libro-de-la-selva-logra-el-mejor-estreno-del-ano-de-momento
  67. ↑ http://www.eleconomista.es/boxoffice/reports_spain/2016/el-libro-de-la-jungla-sigue-dominado-con-fuerza-la-taquilla-espanola/
  68. ↑ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/intl/?page=&wk=2016W16&id=_fJULIETA01

External links

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