Something Is About to Happen | |
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Spanish | Que nadie duerma |
Directed by | Antonio Méndez Esparza |
Screenplay by |
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Based on | Que nadie duerma by Juan José Millás |
Produced by |
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Starring |
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Cinematography | Barbu Balasoiu |
Edited by | Marta Velasco |
Music by | Zeltia Montes |
Production companies |
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Release dates |
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Countries |
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Language | Spanish |
Something Is About to Happen (Spanish: Que nadie duerma) [1] is a 2023 Spanish-Romanian thriller drama film directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza from a screenplay by Méndez Esparza and Clara Roquet based on Juan José Millás' novel. It stars Malena Alterio alongside Aitana Sánchez-Gijón.
Set in Madrid, the plot follows Lucía, a software developer turned taxi driver who fantasizes about her life while listening to Puccini's Turandot. [2] She ends up scheming a plan of revenge while driving in the streets of the Spanish capital. [3]
Based on Juan José Millás' novel Que nadie duerma, the screenplay was penned by Antonio Méndez Esparza alongside Clara Roquet. [6] It was Méndez Esparza's first time working with a professional cast. [7] Roquet described the lead character as a female version of the protagonists of Joker and Taxi Driver. [7]
The film was produced by Aquí y Allí Films, Wanda Visión, and Que nadie duerma AIE alongside Avanpost, with participation of RTVE, Amazon, and Telemadrid and backing from ICAA, Ayuntamiento de Madrid, Comunidad de Madrid, and Castilla-La Mancha Impulsa. [3] [8] Shooting locations included Usera (Madrid) and Toledo. [6]
The film world premiered at the 68th Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) on 22 October 2023. [9] [10] Distributed by Wanda Visión, [11] [8] it was released theatrically in Spain on 17 November 2023.
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 5 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7.3/10. [12]
Sergi Sánchez of La Razón rated the film 3½ out of 5 stars, writing that it "builds an unusual bridge between the Spanish costumbrista drama and the cinema of Charlie Kaufman". [13]
Javier Ocaña of El País deemed the "stupendous" film to be part of a "free, lewd and mysteryous universe" together with Staring at Strangers. [14]
Jordi Battle Caminal of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting Alterio ("carrying the film on her shoulders with admirable ease") as the best thing about the film. [15]
Philipp Engel of Cinemanía rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing that it elegantly blends "neo-realism in pursuit of social justice and operatic delirium under a veneer of modernity". [16]
The film appeared on a number of critics' top ten lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:
Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
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2023 |
29th Forqué Awards | Best Actress in a Film | Malena Alterio | Won | [18] |
2024 |
11th Feroz Awards | Best Actress in a Film | Malena Alterio | Won | [19] |
Best Supporting Actress in a Film | Aitana Sánchez-Gijón | Nominated | |||
Best Original Soundtrack | Zeltia Montes | Nominated | |||
79th CEC Medals | Best Actress | Malena Alterio | Won | [20] | |
38th Goya Awards | Best Actress | Malena Alterio | Won | ||
32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Leading Role | Malena Alterio | Won | [22] [23] | |
Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role | Aitana Sánchez-Gijón | Nominated | |||
11th Platino Awards | Best Actress | Malena Alterio | Nominated | [24] |