A King and His Movie
| La película del rey | |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Carlos Sorín |
| Produced by | Axel Pauls |
| Written by | Carlos Sorín Jorge Goldenberg |
| Starring | Julio Chávez |
| Music by | Carlos Franzetti |
| Cinematography | Esteban Courtalon |
| Edited by | Alberto Yaccelini |
| Distributed by | Motion Pictures |
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Release dates
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Running time
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97 minutes |
| Country | Argentina |
| Language | Spanish |
A King and His Movie (Spanish: La película del rey) is a 1986 Argentine comedy drama film, directed by Carlos Sorín, and written by Sorín and Jorge Goldenberg. The movie features Ulises Dumont, Julio Chávez, among others.[1]
Plot
The film tells the story of David Vass (Julio Chávez), an obsessed filmmaker who attempts to make an epic account of the French adventurer Orelie-Antoine de Tounens, who in the 19th century assumed the title of King of Patagonia and Araucania.
Vass meets major obstacles at every turn during the film. First, word leaks out to the Argentine media that Vass is finally making his film and he has to dodge them as he executes his preproduction plans.
The big problem is finding the perfect actor to portray the king. When all of the professional auditions are rejected, Vass turns to the street. Unfortunately, he chooses a hippie type, who mistakes Vass for the cops and flees. Still, Vass catches up and convinces him to play the part.
Finally, Vass assembles cast and crew and prepares to go southern Argentina to shoot the film. However, his financial backer withdraws with the film's money and flees abroad. Now Vass has no money to pay his staff.
The actors immediately abandon the project and once again Vass hits the streets to find his actors.
Finally, the group makes it to the location for shooting. By this time they are so broke that they cannot afford lodging and end up staying at an orphanage until an actor makes the wrong advances towards a youngster and gets them kicked out.
The crew, not wanting to sleep in tents, decide to leave. The cast joins them. Despite this final crushing blow, Vass will not abandon the film and portrays the king himself, using mannequins for extras to create some of the film's most haunting and surreal scenes.
Cast
- Ulises Dumont as Arturo
- Julio Chávez as David Vass
- Villanueva Cosse as Desfontaines
- Roxana Berco as Lucia
- Ana María Giunta as Madama
- David Llewelyn as Lachaisse
- Miguel Dedovich as Oso
- Marilia Paranhos as Lulu
- Ricardo Hamlin as Maxi
- Rubén Patagonia as Quillapan
- César García as Bonanno
Distribution
The film premiered in Argentina on August 28, 1986.
The film was screened at various film festivals, including; the Toronto Film Festival, Canada; the Venice Film Festival, Italy; the Havana Film Festival, Cuba; and others.
Awards
Wins
- Venice Film Festival: Silver Lion Best First Work, Carlos Sorin; 1986.
- Havana Film Festival: Grand Coral, First Prize, Carlos Sorin; 1987.
- Goya Awards: Goya Best Spanish Language Foreign Film, Carlos Sorin, Argentina; 1987.
- Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor; Best First Film, Carlos Sorin; Best New Actor, Miguel Dedovich; Best Original Screenplay, Carlos Sorin and Jorge Goldenberg; Best Supporting Actress, Villanueva Cosse; Best Supporting Actress, Ana María Giunta; 1987.
