''The Field of Stars'' ( es, El prado de las estrellas, links=no) is a 2007 Spanish drama film written and directed by

Mario Camus Mario Camus García (20 April 1935 – 18 September 2021) was a Spanish film director and screenwriter. He won the Golden Bear at the 33rd Berlin International Film Festival with '' La colmena''. His 1987 film '' The House of Bernarda Alba'' ...

which stars

Álvaro de Luna Álvaro de Luna y Fernández de Jarava (between 1388 and 13902 June 1453), was a Castilian statesman, favourite of John II of Castile. He served as Constable of Castile and as Grand Master of the Order of Santiago. He earned great influence in t ...

Marián Aguilera Marián Aguilera Pérez (born 12 March 1977 in Montgat, Barcelona, Spain) is a Spanish film and television actress. Her image was telecast for the World to see when she carried the Olympic flame at Empúries for the Barcelona Olympic Games (1 ...

, José Manuel Cervino, Antonio de la Torre,

Rodolfo Sancho Rodolfo Sancho Aguirre (born 14 January 1975) is a Spanish actor. He is best known for his role as Julián Martínez in the television series '' El Ministerio del Tiempo''. Personal life Sancho was born on 14 January 1975 in Madrid, Spain the ...

, and Mari González. It is Camus' swan song.

Plot

Set in rural

Cantabria Cantabria (, also , , Cantabrian: ) is an autonomous community in northern Spain with Santander as its capital city. It is called a ''comunidad histórica'', a historic community, in its current Statute of Autonomy. It is bordered on the east ...

, the plot tracks several intertwined stories, including an elder man (Alfonso) paying visits to Nanda, who lives in a geriatric centre and the budding cycling talent of young Martín (brother of Luisa, an independent woman and social worker in the aforementioned geriatric centre who falls romantically for Ramiro, a mechanic). Martín is helped by Alfonso and his pal Tasio in order to fulfill his potential.

Cast

Production

The screenplay was penned by

. The film was produced by Cre-Acción Films alongside 2 y 4 Films and Proverfilms. Filming began on 16 October 2006 and wrapped in December 2006. Shooting locations included

(

Comillas Comillas is a small township and municipality in the northern reaches of Spain, in the autonomous community of Cantabria. The Marquessate of Comillas, a fiefdom of Spanish nobility, holds ceremonial office in the seat of power at a small castle ...

Santander Santander may refer to: Places * Santander, Spain, a port city and capital of the autonomous community of Cantabria, Spain * Santander Department, a department of Colombia * Santander State, former state of Colombia * Santander de Quilichao, a m ...

Torrelavega Torrelavega ( Cantabrian: ''Torlavega'') is a municipality and important industrial and commercial hub in the single province Autonomous Community of Cantabria, northern Spain. It is situated roughly 8 kilometres from the Cantabrian Coast and 27.5 ...

Valderredible Valderredible is a municipality in Cantabria, Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin)(English: "Further Beyond") , ...

, Cabuérniga, portillo de Lunada, and ) and the

Province of Palencia Palencia is a Provinces of Spain, province of northern Spain, in the northern part of the Autonomous communities of Spain, autonomous community of Castile-Leon, Castile and León in the north of the Iberian Peninsula. It is bordered by the provi ...

(comarca of Aguilar de Campoo).

Release

The film was selected for screening at the official selection of the 52nd

Valladolid International Film Festival The Valladolid International Film Festival, popularly known as Seminci (short for ; ), is a film festival held annually in Valladolid, Spain. First held in 1956 as ('Valladolid Religious Film Week'), the Seminci is one of the longest-standing fi ...

, where it premiered on 1 November 2007. It was theatrically released in Spain on 11 January 2008.

Reception

Jonathan Holland of ''

Variety Variety may refer to: Arts and entertainment Entertainment formats * Variety (radio) * Variety show, in theater and television Films * ''Variety'' (1925 film), a German silent film directed by Ewald Andre Dupont * ''Variety'' (1935 film), ...

'' deemed the film to be "an understated, cross-generational rural drama whose general air of lethargy is redeemed by a decent central perf and the beauty of its locations", in which the director "plays out its themes of emotional uncertainty, memory and loss to unconvincing effect". Carlos Marañón of ''

Cinemanía ''Cinemanía'' is a Spanish language monthly film magazine based in Madrid, Spain , image_flag = Bandera de España.svg , image_coat = Escudo de España (mazonado).svg , national_motto = '' Plus ultra'' (Latin) ...

'' rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, positively pointing out that what in advance appeared to be a "tourism advertorial" paid by the Cantabrian government turns out to be simple story of well-performed solitudes, with an open ending.

Accolades

, - , rowspan = "2" align = "center" , 2008 , rowspan = "2" ,

22nd Goya Awards The 22nd ceremony of the annual Goya Awards, took place at the Palacio de Congresos of the Campo de las Naciones in Madrid, Spain on February 3, 2008, presented by José Corbacho. On December 17, 2007, Juan Diego Botto and Ivana Baquero were re ...

, , Best Actor , , Álvaro de Luna , , , , rowspan = "2" , , - , Best New Actor , , Óscar Abad , , , - , rowspan = "2" align = "center" , 2009 , rowspan = "2" , 64th CEC Medals , , Best Director , , Mario Camus , , , , rowspan = "2" , , - , Best Original Screenplay , , Mario Camus , ,

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Field of Stars, The Spanish drama films 2000s Spanish-language films Cycling films Films shot in Cantabria Films shot in the province of Palencia Films set in Cantabria Spanish sports films 2000s Spanish films