Jokes & Cigarettes

Last updated

Jokes & Cigarettes
Jokes & Cigarettes poster.jpg
Theatrical release poster
CatalanSaben aquell
Directed by David Trueba
Screenplay by
Based onEugenio and Saben aquell que diu
by Gerard Jofra
Produced by
  • Edmon Roch
  • Jaime Ortiz de Artiñano
Starring
CinematographySergi Vilanova
Edited byMarta Velasco
Music by Andrea Motis
Production
companies
Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures
Release date
  • 1 November 2023 (2023-11-01)
CountrySpain
Languages
  • Catalan
  • Spanish
Box office 0.94 million [1]

Jokes & Cigarettes (Catalan: Saben aquell) [2] is a 2023 Spanish biographical drama film directed by David Trueba from a screenplay by Trueba and Albert Espinosa which stars David Verdaguer as comedian Eugenio alongside Carolina Yuste. [3] [4] It features Catalan- and Spanish-language dialogue.

Contents

Plot

Set from 1967 to 1980, the plot follows the onstage beginnings of Eugenio Jofra, a jeweller from Barcelona, as well as his relationship with love interest Conchita, whom he begins to perform in a musical duo, 'Els Dos'. Eugenio ends up improvising solo stand-up comedy shows upon Conchita's sudden absence. [5] [6] [3] [7]

Cast

Cameo roles include Lara Dibildos  [ es ] as her mother Laura Valenzuela, Paco Plaza as Chicho Ibáñez Serrador, and Pedro Ruiz as himself. [10]

Production

The screenplay was penned by Albert Espinosa based on the books Eugenio and Saben aquell que diu by Gerard Jofra, Eugenio's son. The film is an Ikiru Films, Atresmedia Cine and La Terraza Films production, and it had the participation of Atresmedia, Movistar+, and HBO Max and backing from ICEC and TVC. [6] Trueba advised Verdaguer not to obsess about impersonating Eugenio, telling Verdaguer that he was not [popular impersonator] Carlos Latre, but primarily about getting the hang of [Eugenio's] energy. [11] Verdaguer used nonetheless a prosthetic nose and a prosthetic ass. [12] Carolina Yuste worked for three months with a diction coach to improve her Catalan-language skills. [13] Shooting locations included Barcelona. [14] The film was lensed by Sergi Vilanova and featured the music of Andrea Motis. [15]

Release

The film was released theatrically in Spain by Warner Bros. Pictures on 1 November 2023. [3] [16]

Reception

According to the American review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, Jokes & Cigarettes has a 100% approval rating based on 5 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 7.3/10. [17]

Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 85 points ('very good'), highlighting the screenplay, the setting, and a "masterful" Carolina Yuste. [10]

J. Picatoste Verdejo of Mondo Sonoro rated the film with 7 out of 10 points, describing it as "a film far from sensationalism, warm and romantic". [18]

Blai Morell of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the Verdaguer/Yuste duo as the best thing about the film. [7]

Rubén Romero Santos of Cinemanía rated the film 3½ out of 5 stars, predicting Verdaguer as the foregone Goya Award winner for his performance in his verdict. [19]

Top ten lists

The film appeared on a number of critics' top ten lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
2023
29th Forqué Awards Best Actor in a FilmDavid VerdaguerWon
2024
11th Feroz Awards Best Actor in a Film David VerdaguerWon [24]
Best Actress in a Film Carolina YusteNominated
Best Trailer Miguel Ángel SanantonioNominated
16th Gaudí Awards Best FilmNominated [25]
Best DirectorDavid TruebaNominated
Best Adapted ScreenplayDavid Trueba, Albert EspinosaNominated
Best ActorDavid VerdaguerWon
Best ActressCarolina YusteWon
Best Supporting ActorPedro CasablancNominated
Best Original ScoreAndrea MotisNominated
Best Art DirectionMarc PouWon
Best Production SupervisionEduard VallésWon
Best Costume DesignLala HueteWon
Best Makeup and HairstylesCaitlin Acheson, Nacho Días, Benjamín PérezWon
Best Visual EffectsWesley Barnard, Míriam PiquerNominated
Best SoundXavi Mas, Eduardo Castro, Yasmina PraderasWon
79th CEC Medals Best FilmNominated [26] [27]
Best Adapted ScreenplayAlbert Espinosa, David TruebaNominated
Best ActorDavid VerdaguerWon
Best ActressCarolina YusteNominated
Best Supporting ActorPedro CasablancNominated
Best CinematographySergi Vilanova ClaudínNominated
Best EditingMarta VelascoNominated
38th Goya Awards Best Film Nominated [28]
Best Director David TruebaNominated
Best Adapted Screenplay David Trueba, Albert EspinosaNominated
Best Actress Carolina YusteNominated
Best Actor David VerdaguerWon
Best Original Score Andrea MotisNominated
Best Sound Xavi Mas, Eduardo Castro, Yasmina PraderasNominated
Best Art Direction Marc PouNominated
Best Production Supervision Eduard VallèsNominated
Best Costume Design Lala HueteNominated
Best Makeup and Hairstyles Caitlin Acheson, Benjamín Pérez, Nacho DíazNominated
32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best Film Actor in a Leading RoleDavid VerdaguerWon [29] [30]
Best Film Actress in a Leading RoleCarolina YusteNominated
11th Platino Awards Best Actor David VerdaguerNominated
Best Actress Carolina YusteNominated

See also

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References

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