Away (Catalan: Molt lluny)[1] is a 2025 drama film directed by Gerard Oms (in his feature film directorial debut). It stars Mario Casas alongside David Verdaguer and Ilyass El Ouahdani.
Set against the backdrop of the 2008 crisis,[2] the plot explores the plight of a thirtysomething Spaniard living in Utrecht (Casas), facing precariousness, racism, and classism while learning to reconcile with his queer identity.[3]Away premiered at the 28th Málaga Film Festival on 16 March 2025, ahead of its 11 April 2025 theatrical debut in Spain by BTeam Pictures.
Plot
Sergio, a RCD Espanyol supporter, travels to Utrecht in 2008 to attend a football fixture. Instead of returning home, he feels the sudden urge to stay there, feigning a panic attack and starting a process for finding himself.[4][5][6]
Away is the directorial debut film of Gerard Oms, Mario Casas' acting coach since Cross the Line, who described the film as a 'late coming-of-age' story.[3][9] Oms also acknowledged the film to chiefly deal with his own life experiences, primarily deviating from them in the beginning, with the presentation of the protagonist within the football environment.[2] The film is a Spanish-Dutch co-production of Zabriskie Films alongside Revolver Amsterdam.[10] It had the participation of TV3 and RTVE and the backing from Creative Europe MEDIA, ICEC, ICAA and NL Film Fonds.[11]
Latido Films acquired sales rights to Away ahead of its world premiere.[10] The film was presented at the 28th Málaga Film Festival on 16 March 2025.[12][13] It was also selected as the closing film of the 15th D'A Barcelona Film Festival.[14] It was released theatrically in Spain on 11 April 2025 by BTeam Pictures.[11][15]
Enric Albero of El Cultural deemed Casas' performance to be his best since Unit 7.[5]
Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas gave the film 70 points ('good') highlighting "the depth of the script's exploration of its central character" while warning that Away is a "gray, cold and sad film that does not make it easy for the viewer".[17]
Carlos Boyero of El País wrote that Oms' storytelling "is intelligent and honest, showing an unkind reality, doing so with subtlety and verisimilitude", also predicting that the Dardenne Brothers would deem Oms to be an excellent disciple of theirs.[18]
Roger Salvans of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting Casas' commitment and the potential that can be sensed in Oms.[19]
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