May I Speak with the Enemy?

May I Speak With the Enemy? (Spanish: ¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila) is a 2024 tragicomedy film directed by Alexis Morante starring Óscar Lasarte as comedian Miguel Gila.

May I Speak with the Enemy?
Theatrical release poster
Spanish¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila
Directed byAlexis Morante
Screenplay by
  • Alexis Morante
  • Raúl Santos
Story by
  • Alexis Morante
  • José Alba
Based onEl libro de Gila. Antología cómica de obra y vida
by Miguel Gila
Produced by
  • José Alba
  • Sandra Tapia
  • Ibon Cormenzana
  • Ignasi Estapé
  • Ángel Durández
Starring
CinematographyCarlos García de Dios
Edited byJosé M. G. Moyano
Music byMiguel Santos
Production
companies
  • Pecado Films
  • Arcadia Motion Pictures
  • Philmo Capital AIE
  • Nu Boyana Portugal
Distributed byFilmax
Release dates
  • 26 September 2024 (2024-09-26) (Zinemaldia)
  • 13 December 2024 (2024-12-13) (Spain)
Countries
  • Spain
  • Portugal
LanguageSpanish

Plot

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The plot explores the beginnings of comedian Miguel Gila, when the life of a young Miguel in 1936 Madrid is upended by the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, managing to survive misfortunes, the trenches, the firing squad and prison.[1][2]

Cast

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Production

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Inspired by the book El libro de Gila. Antología cómica de obra y vida and based on a story by Alexis Morante and José Alba, the screenplay was written by Morante and Raúl Santos.[5][1] The film was produced by Pecado Films, Arcadia Motion Pictures and Philmo Capital AIE alongside Nu Boyana Portugal and it had the participation of RTVE, Movistar Plus+, Canal Sur, 3Cat, funding from ICAA and the involvement of CreaSGR.[6] Shooting locations in Biscay included Durango, that stood in for Madrid, and the forest of Otzarreta.[7]

Release

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The film was at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on 26 September 2024.[8] It is scheduled to be released theatrically in Spain on 13 December 2024 by Filmax.[6][4]

Reception

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Fausto Fernández of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting the appearances of Romero and Calvo as the best thing about the film.[9]

Toni Vall of Cinemanía rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it "a beautiful film, a deep tribute to the master Gila".[10]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2025
4th Carmen Awards Best Film Pending [11]
Best Director Alexis Morante Pending
Best Adapted Screenplay Alexis Morante, Raúl Santos Pending
Best Supporting Actor Salva Reina Pending
Vicente Romero Pending
Best Supporting Actres Adelfa Calvo Pending
Best Editing José M.G. Moyano Pending
Best Art Direction Beatriz López Herrerías Pending

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b Rivera, Alfonso (21 March 2024). "Gila: ¿es el enemigo?, a la sala de montaje". Cineuropa.
  2. ^ Hopewell, John (14 May 2024). "Filmax Swoops on 'May I Speak With the Enemy' (Exclusive)". Variety.
  3. ^ Jaramillo, David (30 March 2024). "Termina el rodaje de "Gila: ¿Es el enemigo?", los inicios de un genio del humor". La Razón.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o "¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila". Filmax. Retrieved 11 August 2024.
  5. ^ "Finaliza el rodaje de 'Gila: ¿Es el enemigo?', participada por RTVE". rtve.es. 19 March 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Gila: ¿es el enemigo?". Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. 18 March 2024.
  7. ^ "Alexis Morante concluye el rodaje de '¿Es el enemigo?', una película sobre la vida del humorista Miguel Gila". Europa Sur. Grupo Joly. 18 March 2024.
  8. ^ "RTVE presenta en el Festival de San Sebastián '¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila'". rtve.es. 26 September 2024.
  9. ^ "Crítica de '¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila', para guardianes de la memoria histórica del humor español". Fotogramas. 12 December 2024.
  10. ^ Vall, Toni (13 December 2024). "Crítica de '¿Es el enemigo? La película de Gila': un homenaje de hondo calado al maestro". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
  11. ^ "'Solos en la noche' y 'Rita' encabezan las nominaciones a los Premios Carmen del Cine Andaluz". CineconÑ. 17 December 2024.