Lena (film)

2001 film

Lena

Theatrical release poster

Directed by| Gonzalo Tapia
Screenplay by|

* Gonzalo Tapia
* Antonio Trashorras
* David Muñoz

Starring|

* Marta Larralde
* Manuel Manquiña
* Roberto Álvarez

Cinematography| Carles Gusi
Edited by| Ángel Hernández Zoido
Music by| José Carlos Mac

Production
companies

* Tráfico de Ideas
* Producciones La Iguana
* Alta Films
* Portozás Visión
* Take 2000

Distributed by| Alta Films

Release dates

* 1 May 2001 (2001-05-01) (Cine Fraga)
* 11 May 2001 (2001-05-11) (Spain)

Countries|

* Spain
* Portugal

Language| Spanish

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.

## Plot[edit]

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[edit]

* Marta Larralde as Lena[3]
* Manuel Manquiña as Gorrión[2]
* Roberto Álvarez [es] as Milio[2]
* Vitor Norte as Cachero[2]
* Luis Tosar as Gitano[2]
* Luis Zahera as Antonio[2]
* Iván Hermés [es] as Manu[2]
* Antón Reixa [es] as comisario Fernández[2]
* Carlos Kaniowsky as Esteban[2]
* Nuria Sanz as Mariola[2]
* Irene García Bustos as Carmen[2]
* Israel Rodríguez as Toño[2]
* Andrés Fraga as Sebe[2]
* Josito Porto as Ramón[2]
* Luma Gómez as Rosa[2]
* Feli Manzano as Isabel[2]

## Production[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

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[edit]

* List of Spanish films of 2001
* List of Portuguese films of 2001

## References[edit]

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.