''Killing Words'' ( es, Palabras encadenadas, links=no) is a Spanish
psychological thriller
Psychological thriller is a genre combining the thriller and psychological fiction genres. It is commonly used to describe literature or films that deal with psychological narratives in a thriller or thrilling setting.
In terms of context and co ...
co-written and directed by
Laura Mañá
Laura Mañá Alvarenga (born 12 January 1968) is an actress, film director and screenwriter. She was born in Barcelona. As an actress, she has worked for directors such as Bigas Luna or Vicente Aranda. In 1997 she directed ''Paraules'', her first ...
which stars
Darío Grandinetti
Darío Alejandro Grandinetti (born March 5, 1959) is an Argentine actor. He is known for his numerous roles in television, theater and film, where he participated in films by renowned directors such as Alejandro Doria, Pedro Almodóvar and Dami ...
and
Goya Toledo
Gregoria Micaela Toledo Machín (born 24 September 1969 in Arrecife, Lanzarote), professionally known as Goya Toledo, is a Spanish actress and model. She has appeared in ''Amores Perros'', '' Killing Words,'' and ''13 Roses''.
Before venturing ...
.
Plot
Ramón, a respected philosophy professor, has kidnapped Laura, a psychiatrist, and claims to be a serial killer. While taping their conversation in his basement, he forces Laura to play
word games
Word games (also called word game puzzles or word search games) are spoken, board, or video games often designed to test ability with language or to explore its properties.
Word games are generally used as a source of entertainment, but can add ...
and
psychoanalyze
PsychoanalysisFrom Greek: + . is a set of theories and therapeutic techniques"What is psychoanalysis? Of course, one is supposed to answer that it is many things — a theory, a research method, a therapy, a body of knowledge. In what might be ...
him for her freedom. Intercut with this plotline, Ramon is interrogated by the police for Laura's disappearance. As both conversations progress, it is revealed that Laura is Ramón's ex-wife, who accused him of
spousal abuse
Domestic violence (also known as domestic abuse or family violence) is violence or other abuse that occurs in a domestic setting, such as in a marriage or cohabitation. ''Domestic violence'' is often used as a synonym for ''intimate partner ...
during their divorce hearings.
Ramón toys with Laura, sometimes changing his stories to appear harmless, then reaffirming his murderous intentions. At one point, he claims that he has lied about his murders in order to force her to admit that her accusations of abuse were false. He continues to express romantic interest in her, and Laura offers to have sex with him for her freedom, but Ramón
cannot perform. Ultimately Laura admits to lying during their divorce hearings, but only to save him the humiliation of the truth: that she has discovered his affairs with male students.
During the interview, Ramón admits that he kidnapped Laura in order to scare a confession from her, but his story does not always match up with the events portrayed. He claims that he and his wife are engaging in a cat-and-mouse game, which she has won. When police secretly inspect his home, they discover a doctored telephone message that Ramón has made from the recordings in his basement. The message makes it appear that Laura has faked her death in order to
frame
A frame is often a structural system that supports other components of a physical construction and/or steel frame that limits the construction's extent.
Frame and FRAME may also refer to:
Physical objects
In building construction
*Framing (con ...
Ramón for her murder. The police believe the recording and release Ramón.
When Ramón returns home, he watches a video of the final chapter in his conversation with Laura. On the video, Ramón admits to his affairs with male students and fatally stabs Laura. He fondles Laura's body and begins undressing her before turning off the camera.
Cast
*
Darío Grandinetti
Darío Alejandro Grandinetti (born March 5, 1959) is an Argentine actor. He is known for his numerous roles in television, theater and film, where he participated in films by renowned directors such as Alejandro Doria, Pedro Almodóvar and Dami ...
as Ramón
*
Goya Toledo
Gregoria Micaela Toledo Machín (born 24 September 1969 in Arrecife, Lanzarote), professionally known as Goya Toledo, is a Spanish actress and model. She has appeared in ''Amores Perros'', '' Killing Words,'' and ''13 Roses''.
Before venturing ...
as Laura
*
Fernando Guillén as Comisario Espinosa
*
Eric Bonicatto
The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization).
The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...
as Inspector Sánchez
Festivals
''Listed chronologically:''
*Cannes Film Festival
*Fantasy Filmfest
*Muestra Cinematográfica de Preestrenos de España y Francia
*Copenhagen International Film Festival
*Dead by Dawn Horror Film Festival
Awards and nominations
*Amsterdam Fantastic Film Festival
**''Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Gold'' - Nominated
*Fant-Asia Film Festival
**AQCC Award - Mention - Won
*Fantasporto
**''Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film in Silver'' - Won
**''International Fantasy Film Award'' - Won
**''International Fantasy Film Special Jury Award'' - Won
**''International Fantasy Film Award'' - Nominated
*Málaga Spanish Film Festival
**''Silver Biznaga'' - Won
**''Golden Biznaga'' - Nominated
See also
*
List of Spanish films of 2003
A list of Spanish-produced and co-produced feature films released in Spain in 2003. The domestic theatrical release date is favoured.
Films
Box office
The ten highest-grossing Spanish films in 2003, by domestic box office gross revenue, a ...
External links
Official Site*
*
2003 films
2003 psychological thriller films
Spanish psychological thriller films
2000s Spanish films
2000s Spanish-language films
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