The debut ‘El camí més llarg per tornar a casa’ wins the Gaudí Award for best film

Barcelona (CNA).- The Gaudí Awards, known in Catalan as Premís Gaudí and named after internationally renowned architect Antoni Gaudí, are the film awards organised by the Catalan Film Academy which recognise Catalan productions with a significant presence of Catalan artistic and technical staff. On Sunday the 8^th edition of Premis Gaudí awarded the debut film ‘El camí més llarg per tornar a casa’ directed by Sergi Pérez, with the Gaudí Award for best film in Catalan language. ‘Truman’, starring Argentinian actor Ricardo Darín, won in six categories, including best film in non-Catalan language, best director for Cesc Gay, best actor in a leading role for Darín and best supporting roles for Javier Cámara and Dolores Fonzi. ‘El Rey de la Habana’ (‘The King of Havana’) and ‘Anacleto Agente Secreto’ (‘Anacleto, Secret Agent’) won four Gaudís each.  

Spanish actress Rossy de Palma, most well-known for her regular roles in Pedro Almodóvar’s early films, hosted the ceremony, which took place in Barcelona’s Forum Auditorium and revolved around the concept of surrealism.

Although the independent film ‘El camí més llarg per tornara casa’, directed by debutant Sergi Pérez, won the Gaudí Award for best film, the movie which obtained most prizes was ‘Truman’. Directed by Cesc Gay, prolific director in cinema, television and theatre, ‘Truman’ is based on the story of Julián, a terminally-ill actor who receives a visit from a friend while preparing for his death. One of its main concerns is finding a new home for his pet, a dog called Truman. This intimate story of life values, which is somewhere between comedy and drama, won in 6 of the 11 categories in which it was nominated. Cesc Gay’s seventh film obtained the Gaudí Award for best film in non-Catalan language (as it was shot in Spanish), best director, best leading actor for Argentinian actor Ricardo Darín, best actor in a supporting role for popular Spanish actor Javier Cámara, best actress in a supporting role for Argentinian actress Dolores Fonzi and best original screenplay.

The Gaudí Award for best actress in a leading role went to Laia Costa. The young Catalan actress won the prize for her role in ‘Victoria’, a German film which has triumphed at many international film festivals so far. Costa plays a young Spanish woman who has newly moved to Berlin and flirts with a local man, who turns out to be potentially deadly as a night out with his friends reveals a dangerous secret. 

Agustí Villaronga, who triumphed at the 3^rd edition of the Premis Gaudí with the film ‘Pa Negre’ (‘Black Bread’), set during the Spanish Civil War, presented his latest film, ‘El Rey de la Habana’ (‘The King of Havana’). Based on the book of the same name by Pedro Juán Giménez, the story is set in the late 90’s, a period of decadence for Cuba. ‘El Rey de la Habana’ was the bookmakers’ favourite, however, the film only obtained four Gaudís: best costume design, best film editing, best cinematography and best original score.

Tied in terms of number of prizes was ‘Anacleto: Agente secreto’ (‘Anacleto, Secret Agent’). The action comedy directed by Javier Ruíz Caldera won the Gaudí Award for best production director, best art director, best special effects and best sound. 

Gaudí Honorary Award for Rosa Maria Sardà

The Gaudí Honorary Award went to Catalan actress Rosa Maria Sardà. She started her career in the 1970’s and has become one of the most important actresses of Spanish cinema and theatre. Sardà has appeared in more than 30 films, including productions by internationally renowned directors such as Pedro Almodóvar and prolific Catalan directors such as Ventura Pons.

Puigdemont: cinema exports Catalonia’s talent internationally

The new Catalan President, Carles Puigdemont, attended the 8^th Premis Gaudí ceremony and highlighted the importance of culture and cinema in the construction of a country. “Nobody can question that one of the Government’s missions is to support those works made in our language” he stated. This support “is not questioned” in Catalonia but sometimes it “proves to be difficult to understand in the Spanish State” he added. Puigdemont defined Catalan cinema as “one of the main exporters of Catalonia’s talent” and assured that “we can feel especially proud of it”.