The Realm

7.3

18,137

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Original title: El Reino
Year: 2018
Running time: 131 min.
Country: Spain
Director: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Screenwriter: Isabel Peña, Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Music: Olivier Arson
Cinematography: Álex de Pablo
Cast: Antonio de la Torre, Josep Maria Pou, Nacho Fresneda, Ana Wagener, Mónica López, Bárbara Lennie, Luis Zahera, Francisco Reyes II, María de Nati, Paco Revilla, Sonia Almarcha, David Lorente, Andrés Lima, Óscar de la Fuente, Laia Manzanares, Max Marieges
Producer: Co-production Spain-France; Tornasol Films / Trianera PC AIE / Atresmedia Cine / Le Pacte / Mondex & Cie / Bowfinger International Pictures
Genre: Thriller. Mystery. Drama | Politics. Crime
Synopsis / Plot: In a corrupt system which survives and perpetuates itself over the years, being a politician is a real privilege for those who know how to play their cards. A coastal city. Year 2007. A group of friends, colleagues in a political party, enjoy life, luxury yachts and expensive restaurants. Their exclusive day-to-day includes money laundering, land rezoning, quick trips to Madrid and exchanging favours with businessmen in the area. Manuel, an influential regional vice-secretary who has everything in his favour to become the next Regional President and thus take the leap to Madrid and national politics, sees his perfect life fall apart after a leak involves him and Paco, one of his best friends in the party, in a corruption scandal.

Manuel attempts to keep calm as the media begin uncovering the scope of the scandal. He is convinced that the storm will pass and the party will straighten things out, as it has always done before when one of its members was in trouble. However, this time the party closes ranks and only Paco comes through unscathed. Overnight, Manuel is expelled from the kingdom, marked by public opinion and betrayed by those who, a few hours earlier, he thought were his friends. But although the party intends for him to bear all the blame, Manuel will not accept taking the fall alone. With the only support of his wife and daughter, trapped in a struggle for survival, Manuel will have to fight against a well-oiled corruption machine and a party system in which kings may fall, but kingdoms endure.

Awards: 2018: 7 Goya Awards: including Best Director, Screenplay & Actor. 13 Nominations

2018: San Sebastian Film Festival: Official Selection

2018: Toronto International Film Festival TIFF: World Contemporary Cinema

2019: Platino Awards: Best Actor (Antonio de la Torre) & Editing. 4 Nominations

2018: Forqué Awards: Best Actor (Antonio de la Torre). 2 Nominations

2018: 5 Feroz Awards: including Best Drama Film, Director & Actor. 10 nominations

Critics' reviews

"'A terrific performance from the reliable Antonio de la Torre (...) 'Kingdom' is a fine example of concerned, contemporary cinema that also happens to be a lot of fun to watch"

Jonathan Holland: The Hollywood Reporter
"'The Realm' sports a large cast of expertly played characters (...) The restrained ominousness in Olivier Arson’s original score further ballasts the smooth thriller mechanics"

Dennis Harvey: Variety
"A forceful and adrenaline-charged thriller (...) A narrative and stylistic punch evoking some of the best examples of the genre (...) 'The Realm' ramps up the suspense at a merciless pace"

David González: Cineuropa
"An intriguing, interesting and most importantly, entertaining film."

Reuben Lazarus: FilmInk

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Ranking Lists Position

6 My Top 10 Movies from 2018 (271)
50 My Favorite Movies from Spain (104)
84 My 10 favorite active Film Directors and my favorite movie of each one of them (4)

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