The Sea Inside (I) (2004)
"Mar adentro" (original title)

The real-life story of Spaniard Ramon Sampedro, who fought a 30 year campaign in favor of euthanasia and his own right to die.

Director:

Alejandro Amenábar

Writers:

Alejandro Amenábar (screenplay), Mateo Gil (screenplay)

Stars:

Javier Bardem, Belén Rueda, Lola Dueñas

Won 1 Oscar. Another 61 wins & 30 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Javier Bardem	...	Ramón Sampedro
Belén Rueda	...	Julia
Lola Dueñas	...	Rosa
Mabel Rivera	...	Manuela
Celso Bugallo	...	José
Clara Segura	...	Gené
Joan Dalmau	...	Joaquín
Alberto Jiménez	...	Germán
Tamar Novas	...	Javi
Francesc Garrido	...	Marc
Josep Maria Pou	...	Padre Francisco (as José María Pou)
Alberto Amarilla	...	Hermano Andrés
Andrea Occhipinti	...	Santiago
Federico Pérez Rey	...	Conductor
Nicolás Fernández Luna	...	Cristian

Storyline

Life story of Spaniard Ramón Sampedro, who fought a 30-year campaign to win the right to end his life with dignity. Film explores Ramón's relationships with two women: Julia, a lawyer who supports his cause, and Rosa, a local woman who wants to convince him that life is worth living. Through the gift of his love, these two women are inspired to accomplish things they never previously thought possible. Despite his wish to die, Ramón taught everyone he encountered the meaning, value and preciousness of life. Though he could not move himself, he had an uncanny ability to move others.

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Plot Keywords:

lawyer | euthanasia | freedom | right to die | quadriplegic | 

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Genres:

Biography | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense depiction of mature thematic material

Details

Official Sites:

New Line Cinema [us]

Country:

Spain France Italy

Language:

Spanish Catalan Gallegan

Release Date:

3 September 2004 (Spain)

Also Known As:

The Sea Inside

Filming Locations:

A Coruña, Galicia, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

€10,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$151,642 (Brazil) (18 February 2005)

Gross:

$2,086,345 (USA) (13 May 2005)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Sogepaq, Sociedad General de Cine (SOGECINE) S.A., Himenóptero

Technical Specs

Runtime:

125 min

Sound Mix:

SDDS Dolby Digital EX DTS-ES

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Selected by the Spanish Cinematographic Academy to represent Spain in the Best Foreign Language Film Category of the 2004 Oscars.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Gené: Relax. You're feeling calmer and calmer. Now imagine a movie screen, opening before you. On it, imagine your favorite place. Concentrate on your breathing, allowing your whole body to relax, to feel at peace. Keep it going. Just let it come and go... come and go... Now you are there. Notice the details: the colors, the textures, the light, the temperature. Feel the temperature. Let this tranquil scene unfold before you. The sensation of peace is infinite.

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Connections

Featured in The 79th Annual Academy Awards (2007)

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Soundtracks

"Negra sombra"
Lyrics by Rosalía de Castro
Music by Carlos Núñez
Performed by Luz Casal

User Reviews

Sensitive Drama About a Polemic Theme

In Spain, the former sailor Ramón Sampedro (Javier Bardem) has been quadriplegic for twenty-eight years and is fighting in court for his right of practicing euthanasia through an association that defends the freedom of choice and leaded by his friend Géne (Clara Segura). Ramón is introduced to the lawyer that is defending his cause, Julia (Belén Rueda), who has a degenerative fatal disease; and meets Rosa (Lola Dueñas), a lonely worker that has been abused by men. Their relationship changes the behavior and viewpoint of life of Rosa and Julia.

The Chilean Alejandro Amenábar is, in my opinion, one of the best contemporary directors. His filmography released in Brazil is composed by excellent and original movies: "Abre Los Ojos", "Tesis", "The Others" and "Mar Adentro". Javier Bardem is probably the best actor in Spain in the present days. Their association produced this sensitive drama about a very polemic theme, the right of committing euthanasia. This drama is never corny or depressive, since the screenplay uses humor as a relieve valve in the most dramatic situations. The performances of the cast are perfect, with characters having and defending different positions regarding this unpleasant theme. The dialogs and lines are very solid and intelligent. I noted in IMDb plot outline that this movie is based on the real-life story of Ramón Sampedro. Unfortunately, neither the movie nor the DVD gives this important information. My vote is nine.

Title (Brazil): "Mar Adentro" ("Sea Inside")