Interesting and thought-provoking drama set during Spanish Civil War and filmed on wonderful exteriors and outdoors from Galicia . It is set during the years in which the Spanish Republic comes under fire from Franco revolt and country growing apart . As sides are drawn and power falls clearly to one side , the forces of fright , rebellion and treason alter profoundly what should be a pacific existence . It deals with a doctor called Daniel Da Barca (Tristan Ulloa) who is imprisoned for his political ideology . Daniel's girlfriend called Marisa Mallo (Maria Adanez) is the daughter of wealthy landowner Benito Mallo (Manuel Manquiña) and attempts to help Daniel . While , a Guardia Civil named Herbal (Luis Tosar) falls for Marisa . Then , Daniel is transferred a new prison where is also assigned Herbal and he works as a penitentiary doctor along with a nurse nun (Ana Igartiburu) .
Drama with historical and romantic elements ; including enjoyable performances and adequate set design . ¨Lapiz del Carpintero¨ or "The Carpenter's Pencil" results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . An agreeable story plenty of enjoyable moments , intense drama, tragic events , moving feelings and predictable finale . Director Anton Rexa , also writes the interesting script along with prestigious screenwriter and author Manuel Rivas . Rivas is a famous Galician writer and journalist , his book "O Lapis do Carpinteiro" and his story "A Lingua das Bolboretas" or ¨Tongue of butterflies¨(originally written in Galician) were adapted to the cinema in this movies El Lápiz del Carpintero (2003) by Anton Reixa and La Lengua De Las Mariposas (1999) directed by José Luis Cuerda . Filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship by Anton Reixa who has only directed TV series and another film titled ¨Hotel Tivoli¨ , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . The flick can be defined as a realistic tragedy-drama , a romantic history , a historic fresco and a socio-political fable . The main problem has to face , beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging , some slow-moving scenes , but including some well-staged set pieces . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this sometimes downbeat as well as sad flick , though also contains sensitive and enjoyable moments . Anyway, it's is compensated with the great performances from Tristan Ulloa and Luis Tosar , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . Anton Reixa is a great director of actors and the main players are complemented by a good cast of secondaries such as Nancho Novo as Zalo , María Pujalte as Beatriz , Manuel Manquiña as Benito Mallo and the TV presenters : Anne Igartiburu as Madre Izarne and Carlos Sobera as Landesa , among others ; all of them forming a powerful human group of support cast and giving excellent interpretations .
The author of the novel on which the film is based, Manuel Rivas , who also wrote , produced and directed , besides being a singer of a famous band ¨Os Resentidos¨ , has a cameo in the film , when Daniel is first taken to the beach and lined up with other prisoners to be shot, Rivas appears to the right of him in a grey jumper. Special mention to magnificent musical score by Lucio Godoy who composes an evocative as well as sensitive musical score . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Andreu Rebes and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space . Shot on north of Spain, Galicia , where have been filmed the gorgeous landscapes , marvelously reflected on location in A Coruña. The film was nominated several Goya Awards Best Production Design , Juan Pedro De Gaspar and Best Supporting Actress , María Pujalte ; and achieved Audience Award best director , Antón Reixa , and Best Actor Luis Tosar. Furthermore , (2004) Won Audience Award Antón Reixa in International Toulouse Festival .
Drama with historical and romantic elements ; including enjoyable performances and adequate set design . ¨Lapiz del Carpintero¨ or "The Carpenter's Pencil" results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . An agreeable story plenty of enjoyable moments , intense drama, tragic events , moving feelings and predictable finale . Director Anton Rexa , also writes the interesting script along with prestigious screenwriter and author Manuel Rivas . Rivas is a famous Galician writer and journalist , his book "O Lapis do Carpinteiro" and his story "A Lingua das Bolboretas" or ¨Tongue of butterflies¨(originally written in Galician) were adapted to the cinema in this movies El Lápiz del Carpintero (2003) by Anton Reixa and La Lengua De Las Mariposas (1999) directed by José Luis Cuerda . Filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship by Anton Reixa who has only directed TV series and another film titled ¨Hotel Tivoli¨ , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement . The flick can be defined as a realistic tragedy-drama , a romantic history , a historic fresco and a socio-political fable . The main problem has to face , beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging , some slow-moving scenes , but including some well-staged set pieces . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this sometimes downbeat as well as sad flick , though also contains sensitive and enjoyable moments . Anyway, it's is compensated with the great performances from Tristan Ulloa and Luis Tosar , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . Anton Reixa is a great director of actors and the main players are complemented by a good cast of secondaries such as Nancho Novo as Zalo , María Pujalte as Beatriz , Manuel Manquiña as Benito Mallo and the TV presenters : Anne Igartiburu as Madre Izarne and Carlos Sobera as Landesa , among others ; all of them forming a powerful human group of support cast and giving excellent interpretations .
The author of the novel on which the film is based, Manuel Rivas , who also wrote , produced and directed , besides being a singer of a famous band ¨Os Resentidos¨ , has a cameo in the film , when Daniel is first taken to the beach and lined up with other prisoners to be shot, Rivas appears to the right of him in a grey jumper. Special mention to magnificent musical score by Lucio Godoy who composes an evocative as well as sensitive musical score . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Andreu Rebes and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence , every space . Shot on north of Spain, Galicia , where have been filmed the gorgeous landscapes , marvelously reflected on location in A Coruña. The film was nominated several Goya Awards Best Production Design , Juan Pedro De Gaspar and Best Supporting Actress , María Pujalte ; and achieved Audience Award best director , Antón Reixa , and Best Actor Luis Tosar. Furthermore , (2004) Won Audience Award Antón Reixa in International Toulouse Festival .
