Vasil (film)

Vasil is a 2022 Spanish-Bulgarian comedy-drama film written and directed by Avelina Prat in her directorial feature debut, which stars Ivan Barnev (as the title character), Karra Elejalde, and Alexandra Jiménez alongside Susi Sánchez, and Sue Flack.

Vasil
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Avelina Prat
Written by	Avelina Prat
Starring	Ivan Barnev Karra Elejalde Alexandra Jiménez Sue Flack Susi Sánchez
Cinematography	Santiago Racaj
Music by	Vincent Barrière
Production companies	Distinto Films Diferente Film AIE Activist 38
Distributed by	Filmax
Release dates	October 2022 (2022-10) (Warsaw) 4 November 2022 (2022-11-04) (Spain)
Countries	Spain Bulgaria
Language	Spanish

Plot

The plot follows the relation of friendship developed between Vasil (an intelligent and charismatic Bulgarian immigrant, as well as skilled player of bridge and chess) and Alfredo, a retired and widowed gruffy architect who welcomes the former into his house, amazement of Luisa (Alfredo's daughter as well as translator and bibliophile) notwithstanding.^[1][2][3][4]

Cast

• Ivan Barnev as Vasil^[3]
• Karra Elejalde as Alfredo^[3]
• Alexandra Jiménez as Luisa^[3]
• Susi Sánchez as Carmen^[3]
• Sue Flack^[3]
• Lorena López^[3]
• Pepo Blasco^[3]

Production

A Spanish-Bulgarian co-production, the film was produced by Diferente Films AIE and Distinto Films alongside Activist 38.^[5] and it had the participation of RTVE, TV3, and À Punt Mèdia [es] and support from ICAA, IVC, ICEC [ca], and Creative Europe's MEDIA.^[5] Shooting locations included Valencia, Sueca, Silla and Puerto de Sagunto.^[6] Santiago Racaj worked as cinematographer whereas Mónica Bernuy took over art direction.^[7]

Release

Vasil had its world premiere at the Warsaw Film Festival.^[8] Its festival run also included the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) and the Mostra de Valencia.^[8] Originally included in the Seminci's 'Meeting Point' slate, the film was included in the festival's official selection instead upon the disqualification of Jaime Chávarri's La manzana de oro.^[9] Distributed by Filmax,^[10] it was theatrically released in Spain on 4 November 2022.

Reception

Carlos Marañón of Cinemanía rated the "spoken and delayed film featuring an original rhythm of its own" with 3 out of 5 stars, considering that even if the profusion of certain situations can become somewhat repetitive, the pause and the acting work "leave a strange but addictive peace, very uncommon in recent cinema".^[10]

Elsa Fernández-Santos of El País deemed Prat's debut feature to be a "kind story of friendship", otherwise featuring elements of costumbrista comedy and autobiographical tones.^[11]

Mariana Hristova of Cineuropa highlighted Elejalde and Barnev for their "organic performance of the graceful nuances in the communication between two people who represent opposing universes", while adding that the indoor settings and warm tones manage to create an "intimate atmosphere".^[8]

Accolades

Year	Award	Category	Nominee(s)	Result	Ref.
2022	67th Valladolid International Film Festival	Best Actor	Karra Elejalde & Ivan Barnev	Won	[12]
	5th Berlanga Awards	Best Film		Won	[13][14]
		Best Director	Avelina Prat	Won
		Best Screenplay	Avelina Prat	Won
		Best Original Score	Vincent Barrière	Won
		Best Sound	Iván Martínez Rufat	Won
		Best Production Supervision	Lorena Lluch	Nominated
		Best Supporting Actress	Susi Sánchez	Won
		Best Costume Design	Giovanna Ribes	Nominated
	15th Gaudí Awards	Best New Director	Avelina Prat	Nominated	[15]
2023	10th Feroz Awards	Best Comedy Film		Nominated	[16]
		Best Actor in a Film	Karra Elejalde	Nominated

See also

• List of Spanish films of 2022

References

1. Jiménez, Jesús (3 November 2022). "Cine 'Vasil', una gran historia de amistad con unos maravillosos Karra Elejalde e Iván Barnev". rtve.es.
2. Yuste, Javier (5 November 2022). "'Vasil', la historia del inmigrante y el jubilado". El Español.
3. Úbeda-Portugués, Alberto (31 October 2022). "Los estrenos del 4 de noviembre. 'Vasil'. El inmigrante querido". Aisge.
4. Bermejo, Andrea G. (25 October 2022). "Seminci 2022 | 'Vasil': una encantadora comedia sobre lo mejor del ser humano". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
5. "Isabel Coixet se enamora de la interpretación de Karra Elejalde en esta película: así es 'Vasil'". rtve.es. 13 September 2022.
6. "La Comunidad Valenciana, plató para multitud de producciones de 2022". Cine&Tele. 3 January 2022. Archived from the original on 7 November 2022. Retrieved 7 November 2022.
7. "La valenciana Avelina Prat estrena 'Vasil', su ópera prima". Valencia Plaza. 6 September 2022.
8. Hristova, Mariana (2 November 2022). "Review: Vasil". Cineuropa.
9. "La Seminci apuesta por la debutante Avelina Prat para sustituir a Jaime Chávarri". Diario de Valladolid. 3 October 2022.
10. Marañón, Carlos (31 October 2022). "Crítica de 'Vasil'". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
11. Fernández-Santos, Elsa (4 November 2022). "'Vasil': una amable historia de amistad escrita en búlgaro". El País.
12. "'Vasil' y 'No mires a los ojos', participadas por RTVE, premiadas en la Seminci 2022". rtve.es. 29 October 2022.
13. Camacho, Noelia (19 October 2022). "Estos son los nominados a los Premios Berlanga del audiovisual valenciano". Las Provincias.
14. Garcés, Laura (13 November 2022). "Estos son los ganadores de los Premios Berlanga del audiovisual valenciano". Las Provincias. Grupo Vocento.
15. "En directe | Premis Gaudí: "Alcarràs" i "Un año, una noche", les més nominades de la nit". 3/24. 22 January 2023 – via Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals.
16. "Premios Feroz 2023 | Palmarés completo: empatan 'As bestas' y 'Cinco lobitos' en cine y 'La ruta' y 'No me gusta conducir' en series". Cinemanía. 29 January 2023 – via 20minutos.es.