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Something Is About to Happen (Spanish: Que nadie duerma)[1] is a 2023 Spanish-Romanian drama thriller 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.
| Something Is About to Happen | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| 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 |
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]
- Malena Alterio as Lucía[4]
- Aitana Sánchez-Gijón as Roberta[5]
- Rodrigo Poisón as Braulio Botas[4]
- José Luis Torrijo as Santiago[4]
- Manuel de Blas as padre de Lucía[4]
- Mariona Ribas as Fátima[4]
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]
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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 6 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 mysterious 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]
Top ten lists
The film appeared on a number of critics' top ten lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:
- 9th — El Confidencial (consensus)[17]
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| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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] |
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