Hard Times (2005 film)

Hard Times
Theatrical release poster
SpanishMalas temporadas
Directed byManuel Martín Cuenca
Screenplay by
Story byAlejandro Hernández
Produced by
  • Fernando Victoria de Lecea
  • Pedro Zaratiegui
Starring
CinematographyDavid Carretero
Edited byÁngel Hernández Zoido
Music byPedro Barbadillo
Production
companies
  • Iberrota Films
  • Golem
  • Loma Blanca
Distributed byGolem
Release dates
  • 22 September 2005 (2005-09-22) (Zinemaldia)
  • 18 November 2005 (2005-11-18) (Spain)
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

Hard Times (Spanish: Malas temporadas) is a 2005 Spanish drama film directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca from a screenplay by Martín Cuenca and Alejandro Hernández which stars Javier Cámara, Nathalie Poza, Eman Xor Oña, and Leonor Watling.

Plot[edit]

Set in Madrid, the plot concerns about connected personal stories: those of a former inmate adapting to life out of jail (Mikel), a NGO worker (Ana), and a Cuban immigrant and smuggler of cigars and artwork (Carlos).[1][2]

Cast[edit]

Release[edit]

The film was presented at the 53rd San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2005.[4][5] It was theatrically released in Spain on 18 November 2005.[3]

Reception[edit]

Fionnuala Halligan of ScreenDaily deemed the film to be "nicely-modulated and finely-acted", considering that, despite its "downbeat perspective", Hard Times is a "rewarding and challenging" film.[2]

Javier Ocaña of El País considered that even if, as almost always with choral stories, some of the stories work better than others, the whole is "very well crafted", underpinning a portrait of current-day sorrows "as real as it is pessimistic".[6]

Accolades[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2005 San Sebastián International Film Festival Sebastiane Award Won [7]
2006 20th Goya Awards Best Actress Nathalie Poza Nominated [8]
15th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Film Actor in a Leading Role Javier Cámara Nominated [9][10]
Best Film Actress in a Leading Role Nathalie Poza Nominated

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Martín Cuenca exhibe en San Sebastián su segundo largometraje, con Javier Cámara y Leonor Watling". El Mundo. 22 September 2022.
  2. ^ a b Halligan, Fionnuala (22 September 2005). "Hard Times (Malas Temporadas)". ScreenDaily.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Malas temporadas". elmundo.es. January 2006. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  4. ^ Harguindey, Ángel S. (23 September 2005). "'Malas temporadas', de Martín Cuenca, y un 'thriller' intimista". El País.
  5. ^ Cerviño, M. (23 September 2005). "Martín Cuenca presenta ´Malas Temporadas´ en San Sebastián". Diario de Mallorca. Prensa Ibérica.
  6. ^ Ocaña, Javier (18 November 2005). "Enigmas y pesares cotidianos". El País.
  7. ^ "Premian cinta "Joven alocada" en San Sebastián". La Razón. 28 September 2012.
  8. ^ "Malas temporadas". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 2 October 2022.
  9. ^ "Belén Rueda, Imanol Arias y José Luis Gil optan a los Premios Unión de Actores". verTele!. 31 March 2006 – via eldiario.es.
  10. ^ "Manuel Alexandre y Candela Peña, premiados por la Unión de Actores en la categoría de cine". El País. 30 May 2006.