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Close Your Eyes (2023 film)

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Close Your Eyes
Film poster
SpanishCerrar los ojos
Directed byVíctor Erice
Screenplay by
Story byVíctor Erice
Produced by
  • Cristina Zumárraga
  • Pablo E. Bossi
  • Víctor Erice
  • Jose Alba
  • Odile Antonio-Baez
  • Pol Bossi
  • Maximiliano Lasansky
Starring
CinematographyValentín Álvarez
Edited byAscen Marchena
Music byFederico Jusid
Production
companies
  • La Mirada del Adiós AIE
  • Tandem Films
  • Nautilus Films
  • Pecado Films
  • Pampa Films
Distributed byAvalon (es)
Release dates
  • 22 May 2023 (2023-05-22) (Cannes)
  • 29 September 2023 (2023-09-29) (Spain)
Running time
169 minutes
Countries
  • Spain
  • Argentina
LanguageSpanish
Box office$778,804[1]

Close Your Eyes (Spanish: Cerrar los ojos) is a 2023 Spanish-Argentine drama film directed by Víctor Erice from a screenplay by Erice and Michel Gaztambide which stars Manolo Solo, José Coronado, and Ana Torrent.

The film had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 2023.

Plot

[edit]

In 2012, about twenty years after the mysterious disappearance of actor Julio Arenas on the seacoast while shooting a film titled The Farewell Gaze in the 1990s, a sensationalist television show revives the case, coming to involve film director and Arenas's close friend Miguel Garay, who talks to Julio's daughter Ana, the movie's editor and archivist Max, and mutual friend and lover Lola.[2][3][4][5]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]
Cast members Solo, Coronado, and Torrent attending the 2024 Goya Awards

The project was Erice's first full-length film since his 1992 documentary The Quince Tree Sun[7] and was revealed upon the disclosure of the allocation of public funding to the film's production by Andalusian regional broadcaster Canal Sur in mid-2022.[8] The screenplay was penned by Víctor Erice and Michel Gaztambide based on an original story by Erice.[9][10][11] The film was a co-production between Pecado Films, Tandem Films, Nautilus Films, Pampa Films and La voz del adiós AIE, with the participation of RTVE, Canal Sur, Vodafone, EiTB, Movistar Plus+, Telemadrid, and support from ICAA, Andalusia and Madrid regional administrations, and Diputación de Granada [es].[6][2]

Shooting locations included Castell de Ferro and Gualchos (province of Granada) and Aguadulce (province of Almería),[10][8] as well as Asturias and Madrid.[12][3]

Release

[edit]

The film was selected to be screened in the Cannes Premiere section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival,[13] where it had its world premiere on 22 May 2023.[14] Erice declined to attend the premiere, explaining his absence in an open letter sent to El País on the basis of a reported lack of "dialogue and consultation" on the part of the festival's programming director Thierry Frémaux during the selection process.[15] Having submitted a QuickTime format version of the film in March 2023 and later a DCP with the final color grading and sound mixes, Erice reportedly knew about the Cannes Premiere slate during the official press conference on the morning of 13 April 2023, with Frémaux reportedly ignoring Erice and failing to notify him in due time whether the film would be entered into an official selection's competition slot, thus leaving Erice no time to consider other screening alternatives for Close Your Eyes, including an opening of Cannes' parallel section Directors' Fortnight, and screenings in Locarno and Venice.[15] The Cannes festival's administration issued a statement in response claiming that the selection of the film took place under usual conditions, explaining that they were "above all proud and happy to have welcomed Close Your Eyes by Víctor Erice to its 76th edition".[15]

The film also made it to the "Centrepiece" programme of the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival,[16] to the "Icon" section of the 28th Busan International Film Festival,[17] to the "Create" section of the 2023 BFI London Film Festival,[18] and to the main slate of the 2023 New York Film Festival.[19]

Haut et Court [fr] acquired distribution rights in France,[20] where its theatrical release date was set for 16 August 2023.[21] New Wave Films acquired distribution rights in United Kingdom and Ireland.[22] Distributed by Avalon,[2][12][23] the film was released theatrically in Spain on 29 September 2023.[24] Film Movement acquired North American distribution rights in April 2024; a theatrical run starting on 23 August 2024 is planned in New York and Los Angeles with digital and home entertainment releases to follow.[25][26]

On 7 September 2023, ahead of its Spanish theatrical premiere, the film was announced to be on the shortlist for Spain's submission to the 96th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film, competing with 20,000 Species of Bees, and Society of the Snow.[27]

Reception

[edit]

Critical response

[edit]

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 93% of 70 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.7/10. The website's consensus reads: "A near-masterpiece for director/co-writer Victor Erice, Close Your Eyes ends his long gap between films with a moving meditation on memory, identity, and cinema itself."[28] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 85 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating "universal acclaim".[29]

Manu Yáñez of Fotogramas rated Close Your Eyes 5 out of 5 stars, highlighting the final stretch of the story as the best thing about the film.[30]

Jordan Mintzer of The Hollywood Reporter underscored the film to be "a poignant cinematic swan song".[31] Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian rated the film 4 out of 5 stars describing it as "expansive, garrulous and yet also downbeat and pessimistic", considering that "there is something deeply civilised and gentle about this film".[5] Justin Chang of The New Yorker wrote that the film "has its own warm spirit of optimism but, happily, none of the self-regarding solipsism you might fear from such a personal valentine to cinema".[32]

Daniel de Partearroyo of Cinemanía rated the film 4½ out of 5 stars, stressing in the verdict "the return of the king", and how Erice "is awe-inspiring with his gaze from another time".[33] In January 2024, the American National Society of Film Critics signalled Close Your Eyes in a "special citation for a film awaiting U.S. distribution".[34]

Top ten lists

[edit]

The film was listed by several critics amongst the top 10 best films of 2023:

The film also appeared on a number of critics' top 10 lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:

Accolades

[edit]
Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2023
 29th Forqué Awards Best Film Nominated [40]
Best Actor in a Film Manolo Solo Nominated
2024
 11th Feroz Awards Best Drama Film Nominated [41]
Best Director Víctor Erice Nominated
Best Screenplay Víctor Erice, Michel Gaztambide Nominated
Best Actor in a Film Manolo Solo Nominated
Best Supporting Actress in a Film Ana Torrent Nominated
Best Supporting Actor in a Film José Coronado Nominated
Best Original Soundtrack Federico Jusid Nominated
Best Poster Sergio Pozas, Manolo Pavón Nominated
Best Trailer Elena Gutiérrez Nominated
3rd Carmen Awards Best Film Won [42][43]
Best Actor Manolo Solo Nominated
Best Supporting Actress María León Nominated
Petra Martínez Nominated
79th CEC Medals Best Film Nominated [44][45]
Best Director Víctor Erice Won
Best Original Screenplay Michel Gaztambide, Víctor Erice Won
Best Actor Manolo Solo Nominated
Best Supporting Actor José Coronado Won
José María Pou Nominated
Mario Pardo Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Ana Torrent Won
Best New Actress Venecia Franco Nominated
Best Cinematography Valentín Álvarez Nominated
Best Editing Ascen Marchena Nominated
Best Music Federico Jusid Nominated
38th Goya Awards Best Film Nominated [46]
Best Director Víctor Erice Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Víctor Erice, Michel Gaztambide Nominated
Best Actor Manolo Solo Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Ana Torrent Nominated
Best Supporting Actor José Coronado Won
Best Cinematography Valentín Álvarez Nominated
Best Editing Ascen Marchena Nominated
Best Sound Iván Marín, Juan Ferro, Candela Palencia Nominated
Best Art Direction Curru Garabal Nominated
Best Production Supervision María José Díez Nominated
32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Film Actor in a Leading Role Manolo Solo Nominated
[47][48]
Best Film Actor in a Secondary Role José Coronado Nominated
11th Platino Awards Best Ibero-American Film Nominated [49]
Best Screenplay Michel Gaztambide, Víctor Erice Nominated
Best Supporting Actor José Coronado Won
Best Supporting Actress Ana Torrent Nominated
Best Cinematography Valentín Álvarez Nominated
Best Art Direction Curru Garabal Nominated

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Close Your Eyes". Box Office Mojo. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
  2. ^ a b c de Pablos, Emiliano; Hopewell, John (12 December 2022). "'Cerrar los Ojos,' Directed by Legendary Spanish Filmmaker Victor Erice, Swooped on by Film Factory (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  3. ^ a b Matossian, Juan Pablo (13 December 2022). "Todo sobre Cerrar los ojos, el primer largometraje de Víctor Erice en 30 años". Vanity Fair.
  4. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (23 May 2023). "'Close Your Eyes' Review: Master Spanish Filmmaker Victor Erice's Moving Homage to the Power of Movies". The Hollywood Reporter.
  5. ^ a b Bradshaw, Peter (25 May 2023). "Close Your Eyes review – Victor Erice returns with enigmatic tale of disappeared actor". The Guardian.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m "Close Your Eyes" (PDF). Festival de Cannes. May 2023. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
  7. ^ Mantilla, Daniel (6 July 2022). "Víctor Erice prepara 'Cerrar los ojos', su primera película en treinta años". El Español.
  8. ^ a b Feixas, Alba (1 November 2022). "Víctor Erice, Coronado y la expectación del rodaje de una película en Castell de Ferro". Granada Hoy. Grupo Joly.
  9. ^ Lodge, Guy (1 October 2023). "'Close Your Eyes' Review: Victor Erice Returns From a 30-Year Absence With an Aching Ode to Film, Time and Memory". Variety.
  10. ^ a b Martínez, Evaristo (4 November 2022). "La nueva película de Víctor Erice toma forma en Almería". La Voz de Almería.
  11. ^ Belinchón, Gregorio (9 July 2022). "El regreso de Víctor Erice al cine comercial será un drama nostálgico sobre la amistad entre un veterano director y su actor protagonista". El País.
  12. ^ a b Aller, María (12 December 2022). "'Cerrar los ojos': primeras imágenes del nuevo largometraje de Víctor Erice". Fotogramas.
  13. ^ Keslassy, Elsa; Lang, Brent (13 April 2023). "Cannes Film Festival 2023 Lineup: Wim Wenders, Steve McQueen, The Weeknd and a Record Number of Female Directors". Variety.
  14. ^ mraultpauillac (10 May 2023). "The Screenings Guide of the 76th Festival de Cannes". Festival de Cannes. Retrieved 10 May 2023.
  15. ^ a b c Goodfellow, Melanie (24 May 2023). "Spanish Director Victor Erice Criticizes Cannes Head Thierry Frémaux Over Selection Process For 'Close Your Eyes' As Fest Responds With Surprise". Deadline Hollywood.
  16. ^ Hazelton, John (10 August 2023). "TIFF sets Centrepiece line-up of international cinema". ScreenDaily.
  17. ^ "The 28th Busan International Film Festival: Selection List". Busan International Film Festival. 5 September 2023. Retrieved 11 September 2023.
  18. ^ Calnan, Ellie (31 August 2023). "'Priscilla', 'The Zone Of Interest', 'The Killer' among 171 features in BFI London Film Festival 2023 line-up". ScreenDaily.
  19. ^ Goldsmith, Jill (8 August 2023). "New York Film Festival Unveils Main Slate For 61st Edition". Deadline Hollywood.
  20. ^ Hopewell, John (15 February 2023). "Haut et Court Takes France on Victor Erice's Latest Drama, 'Close Your Eyes,' from Film Factory (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety.
  21. ^ Julie M. (23 June 2023). "Fermer les yeux de Victor Erice au cinéma cet été 2023". Sortir a Paris.
  22. ^ Dalto, Ben (17 July 2023). "Victor Erice's Cannes Premiere title 'Close Your Eyes' scores UK-Ireland distribution deal (exclusive)". ScreenDaily.
  23. ^ Pulver, Andrew (8 July 2022). "The Spirit of the Beehive director Víctor Erice to make his first feature in 30 years". The Guardian.
  24. ^ Fernández, Harri X. (5 May 2023). "La última de Víctor Erice se estrenará en septiembre". Noticias de Gipuzkoa.
  25. ^ "Film Movement Acquires Victor Erice's 'Close Your Eyes' For North America, Sets Late Summer Release". Deadline Hollywood. 3 April 2024.
  26. ^ Bergeson, Samantha (27 June 2024). "'Close Your Eyes' Trailer: Victor Erice Returns with First Solo Directing Effort in 30 Years for Magnum Opus". IndieWire.
  27. ^ Belinchón, Gregorio (7 September 2023). "'20.000 especies de abejas', 'Cerrar los ojos' y 'La sociedad de la nieve', preseleccionadas por España para el Oscar a mejor película internacional". El País.
  28. ^ "Close Your Eyes". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango Media. Retrieved 25 October 2024. Edit this at Wikidata
  29. ^ "Close Your Eyes". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved 31 August 2024.
  30. ^ Yáñez, Manu (23 May 2023). "Nueva obra maestra para el cine español: Víctor Erice emociona en Cannes con 'Cerrar los ojos'". Fotogramas.
  31. ^ Mintzer, Jordan (23 May 2023). "'Close Your Eyes' Review: Master Spanish Filmmaker Victor Erice's Moving Homage to the Power of Movies". The Hollywood Reporter.
  32. ^ Chang, Justin (16 August 2024). "With "Close Your Eyes," a Legendary Filmmaker Makes a Stunning Return". The New Yorker.
  33. ^ Partearroyo, Daniel de (27 September 2023). "Crítica de 'Cerrar los ojos': el retorno de Erice es una sobrecogedora oda al cine como milagro de otro tiempo". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  34. ^ Lewis, Hilary (6 January 2024). "'Past Lives' Named Best Picture by National Society of Film Critics". The Hollywood Reporter.
  35. ^ Sánchez Casademont, Rafael (27 December 2023). "Las mejores películas de 2023: Top 10 definitivo". Esquire.
  36. ^ Zilko, Christian (1 December 2023). "Cahiers du Cinema Names Best Films of 2023, Including 'Anatomy of a Fall' and 'Close Your Eyes'". IndieWire. Retrieved 1 December 2023.
  37. ^ "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023, el año de 'Cerrar los ojos'". El Cultural. 21 December 2023 – via El Español.
  38. ^ Martínez, Luis (21 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023, de 'Zinzindurrunkarratz' a 'La mesita del comedor'". El Mundo.
  39. ^ Prieto, Belén; Morillo, Valentina (24 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023". Series & Más – via El Español.
  40. ^ "Palmarés completo de los Premios Forqué 2023: '20.000 especies de abejas' y 'La Mesías' lideran la apertura de la temporada". Cinemanía. 17 December 2023 – via 20minutos.es.
  41. ^ Álvarez Patilla, Diego (27 January 2024). "» Cultura Premios Feroz 2024: '20.000 especies de abejas', 'Robot Dreams' y 'La Mesías' dominan la lista de ganadores". rtve.es.
  42. ^ "Los Premios Carmen dan a conocer desde Huelva todos los nominados de su tercera edición". Huelva24. Grupo Vocento. 20 December 2023.
  43. ^ "Palmarés completo de la III edición de los Premios Carmen del Cine andaluz". eldiario.es. 4 February 2024.
  44. ^ "Candidaturas de los Premios del Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos, Medallas CEC". Decine21. 28 December 2023.
  45. ^ "'La sociedad de la nieve' triunfa en la gala de los escritores de cine". El Periódico de Aragón. Prensa Ibérica. 6 February 2024.
  46. ^ "Premios Goya 2024 | Palmarés completo: todos los ganadores de la gran noche de 'La sociedad de la nieve'". Cinemanía. 11 February 2024 – via 20minutos.es.
  47. ^ "Todos los nominados de la 32 edición de los Premios Unión de Actores y Actrices de España". Escribiendo Cine. 4 February 2024.
  48. ^ "Todos los ganadores de los 32 Premios de la Unión de Actores y Actrices de España". Escribiendo Cine. 11 March 2024.
  49. ^ "Premios Platino 2024 | Palmarés completo: el triunfo de 'La sociedad de la nieve' y todos los ganadores de la noche". Cinemanía. 21 April 2024 – via 20minutos.es.
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