Volver a empezar (1982)

A Nobel prize winner returns to his natal city looking for his home.

Director:

José Luis Garci

Writers:

José Luis Garci (screenplay), José Luis Garci (story),

Stars:

Antonio Ferrandis, Encarna Paso, José Bódalo

Won 1 Oscar. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview:
Antonio Ferrandis	...	Antonio Albajara
Encarna Paso	...	Elena
José Bódalo	...	Roxiu (as Jose Bodalo)
Agustín González	...	Gervasio Losada (as Agustin Gonzalez)
Pablo Hoyos	...	Ernesto
Marta Fernández Muro	...	Carolina (as Marta Fernandez Muro)
Pablo del Hoyo	...	Sabino

Storyline

Antonio Albajara is a successful poet and teacher in the Berkeley University that returns to Gijón (Principality of Asturias, north to Spain). He travels there looking for everything that he left behind in his youth when he turned a well-known poet and writer in Mexico and USA, winning the Nobel prize with time. In Gijón he meets again with his past in Roxiu, an old friend (both played in the Sporting of Gijón's soccer team years ago) and Elena, his great-love of past times. Through his memory, his friends and Elena, Antonio starts an unforgettable journey by everyone.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish English

Release Date:

1 March 1982 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Starting Over

Filming Locations:

Barcelona, Cataluña, Spain

Box Office

Gross:

ESP 190,713,512 (Spain)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nickel Odeon S.A.

Technical Specs

Runtime:

87 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Referenced in Museo Coconut: Moonwalker (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Canon in D Major"
By Johann Pachelbel

User Reviews

A wonderful film for anyone wishing to better understand mortality

I stumbled upon this film, and was tempted not to watch it when the first minutes were so quiet. However, I was slowly drawn into the life of the characters and the reasons why Antonio had returned to his home town. There was a sensitive balance between what was being communicated in words, and what was being said through the cinematography. This is a film that some will not enjoy. It is a gentle film, where matters of the heart are more important than the acts that made Antonio the remarkable person he is. It is a film full of understatement, with so much being said in so many small ways. The exception is the role of Agustin Gonzalez whose has to be over the top in an old world way and who plays his part to perfection. Have we not all met people like him - obsequious, yet trying so hard to be the perfect concierge? Elena, played by Encarna Paso enters the film out of nowhere for the viewer, but we learn she has been with Antonio for many years, out of sight but not out of mind. Again, playing an understated role to perfection. This is a film for anyone who is in a relationship, and who has a heart for the future.