Pudor

Colour, 35 mm
Spain, 2007, 113 min
IP – International premiere
Section: Official Selection - Competition

Synopsis

Based on the novel by Santiago Roncaglielo Alfaguare, the film uses its comprehensive scope to depict the complexities of family relationships. Squeezed into a generation vacuum, these relationships are like parallel lines which never meet. Everyone has their secrets and are self-conscious about bringing their traumas out into the open. Julia is not only suffering a middle-age crisis, but is going through a difficult time. Her mother has just died, her marriage to Juan isn’t exactly a bed of roses and the vibes at home are getting everyone down. Sergio, the youngest and adopted member of the family, lives in a child’s micro-fantasy world. His pubertal sister Marisa can’t stand him, she’s trying to come to terms with her sexual orientation and is ashamed of her body. Grandpa Salvador is also disgruntled, unhappy as he is living under his daughter’s roof. When they come together at the dinner table, you could cut the atmosphere with a knife... Is there anything at all which could clear the air?

About the director

David Ulloa (b. 1976, Madrid) studied audiovisual media in Madrid and subsequently worked as a TV director for Canal+ among others. Over the last three years he directed the successful series El comisario, which also made his brother Tristán a popular figure. Together they made the short film Ciclo (2004). The film Pudor (2006) is their feature film debut.

Tristán Ulloa (b. 1970, Orléans) graduated from Spain’s Royal School of Dramatic Arts. He became popular for his appearances in the TV series Más que amigos and El comisario, but the turning point in his career came with Salvador García’s film Mensaka (1998), which brought him a Best Actor award at the festival in Toulouse and a Goya nomination. He was nominated for the same prize for his role in the film Lucía y el sexo (2001, dir. Julio Medem), and it was this film, together with Volverás (dir. Antonio Chavarrías, 2002) which earned him international recognition.