‘Les Distancies’ wins Best Film at Gaudí Awards

One of the most prestigious red carpet events has come to a close – and the winners have already taken home their statuettes for the 11^th edition of the Gaudí Film Awards.

The films that took home the most awards were ‘Entre dos Aguas’ (7 out of the 9 it was nominated for), ‘Viaje al Cuarto de una Madre’ (with 4), as well as ‘El fotógrafo de Mauthausen’ (4 as well). Meanwhile, actor Oriol Pla took home his second Gaudí Award for best supporting actor in ‘Petra.’

Coming to a close in the early hours of Monday morning, the gala was hosted for a third year in a row by filmmaker Lluís Danés, and for the first time by Barcelona-born illusionist, Mag Lari – perfect for an event that had magic as its theme.

The best of the best

‘Les Distancies’ by Elena Trapé took home Best Film. The piece is about the relationship between family members, and the complex tales they weave. It’s already also won big at the Màlaga Film Festival.

Best Director was awarded to the filmmaker behind ‘Entre Dos Aguas’ (or ‘Between Two Waters’) Isaki Lacuesta, while its leading man Israel Gómez Romero awarded for Best Actor. The film, which also won best non-Catalan Language Film, Best Editing, Best Original Music, Best Photography, and Best Sound, deals with the painful relationship and past between two brothers on the isle of San Fernando, after a long prison bout.

Best Actress, meanwhile, was the recognition given to Lola Dueñas, the leading lady at ‘Viaje al Cuarto de una Madre,’(or ‘Journey to a Mother’s Room,’) a movie that also won Best Script. Also taking home Best Supporting Actress for Anna Castillo, much like the other two films, is about family. But, it’s very different in that it deals with the unique, heart-rending, and defining relationships between a mother and daughter.

Closest ever editions

The gala of the event, organized by the Catalan Film Academy, took place at a new venue this year, the Palau de Congressos convention center in Barcelona. There were 36 productions in total, 22 categories.

This was also the closest ever edition of the awards, with actors, directors, scriptwriters and other nominees all vying for the highest recognitions. Among them, top filmmakers Isaki Lacuesta, Elena Trapé, Mar Targarona, Jaume Rosales and Celia Rico.

Among the 1,600 invited to the event were also various prominent officials, such as Catalan president Quim Torra and culture minister Laura Borràs, parliament president Roger Torrent, Barcelona mayor Ada