Lena is a 2001 Spanish-Portuguese coming-of-age drama film directed by Gonzalo Tapia which stars Marta Larralde as the title character alongside Manuel Manquiña and Roberto Álvarez.

Lena
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGonzalo Tapia
Screenplay by
  • Gonzalo Tapia
  • Antonio Trashorras
  • David Muñoz
Starring
CinematographyCarles Gusi
Edited byÁngel Hernández Zoido
Music byJosé Carlos Mac
Production
companies
  • Tráfico de Ideas
  • Producciones La Iguana
  • Alta Films
  • Portozás Visión
  • Take 2000
Distributed byAlta Films
Release dates
  • 1 May 2001 (2001-05-01) (Cine Fraga)
  • 11 May 2001 (2001-05-11) (Spain)
Countries
  • Spain
  • Portugal
LanguageSpanish

Plot

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Set in Vigo, the plot follows teenager Lena and her relationship with her father Gorrión (in a situation of long-term unemployement) as well as with the group of local drug-smuggling henchmen who badly beat Gorrión.[1][2]

Cast

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Production

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The film is a Trafico de Ideas, La Iguana, Alta Films, Portozas Vision, and Take 2000 Spanish-Portuguese co-production with the participation of TVG, TVE, and Canal+.[1] It boasted a 250 million budget.[4] It was primarily shot in Vigo.[5]

Release

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The film received a pre-screening at Vigo's Cine Fraga [es] on 1 May 2001.[4] Distributed by Alta Films,[1] it was released theatrically in Spain on 11 May 2001.[6]

Reception

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Casimiro Torreiro of El País described the film as "a straightforward, linear, unpretentious film that tells a simple yet effective story".[7]

Jonathan Holland of Variety considered that the film manages to pull it off pretty well the fusing of coming-of-age teen drama with a "none-too-gripping tale of villainous drug runners".[1]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d Holland, Jonathan (8 June 2001). "Lena". Variety.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p Nogueira 2001, p. 347.
  3. ^ Nogueira, Xosé (2001). "Lena (2001)". Grial. Revista Galega de Cultura. 39. Vigo: Editorial Galaxia. ISSN 0017-4181.
  4. ^ a b "Vigo acogió el estreno oficial de «Lena»". La Voz de Galicia. 2 May 2011.
  5. ^ "Una noche de cine". La Voz de Galicia. 3 May 2001.
  6. ^ "Lena". Catálogo de Cinespañol. ICAA. 25 September 2023.
  7. ^ Torreiro, Casimiro (11 May 2001). "Entre tinieblas". El País.