The Contestant (2007)
"Concursante" (original title)

A black comedy chronicling the fate of the biggest gameshow prize in history.

Director:

Rodrigo Cortés

Writer:

Rodrigo Cortés

Stars:

Leonardo Sbaraglia, Chete Lera, Miryam Gallego

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Leonardo Sbaraglia	...	Martín Circo Martín
Chete Lera	...	Edmundo
Miryam Gallego	...	Laura
Fernando Cayo	...	Eloy
Myriam De Maeztu	...	Santillana
Luis Zahera	...	Pizarro
Óscar Rodríguez	...	Vendedor en el hangar
Juan Jesús Valverde	...	El Encargado
Amaia Lizarralde	...	Ejecutiva de TV
Luisa Martínez	...	Secretaria de Pizarro (as Luisa Martínez Pazos)
Juli Cantó	...	Empleado del banco
Javier Jurdao	...	Hombre de gris 1
Tomás del Estal	...	Hombre de gris 2
Carlos Manuel Díaz	...	Superior en el banco
Charo Zapardiel	...	Teniente

Storyline

"The Contestant" recounts the roller coaster ride of Martin Circo, the lucky winner of the most lucrative game-show prize in television history to the tune of 3 Million Euros. In this biting satire on consumer society, Martin's stroke of luck sees his life turned upside down. Sometimes, one piece of good luck can ruin your life.

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Plot Keywords:

prize | fictional game show | economics

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [es]

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Release Date:

16 March 2007 (Spain)

Also Known As:

The Contestant

Filming Locations:

Escuela Politécnica Superior, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, Leganés, Madrid, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lazonafilms, Continental Producciones, Nephilim Producciones

Technical Specs

Runtime:

84 min 90 min (European Film Market)

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features 15 Days (2000)

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Soundtracks

"Cajas"
Written by Rodrigo Cortés
(theme from "15 días")

User Reviews

A must see!!!!

One of the most incredible movies of this year!! Superb!! A half way between a Scorsese made in Spain and Paul Thomas Anderson with a little taste of Billy Wilder and even Tony Scott. You can rarely see a so talented young director. It has a great script, which explains the lies of the banks and the financial system. But it's not boring at all, as if a young Orson Welles decided to guide the daring formal structure. The best editing I've ever seen in Spain, I can tell you, magic, genius. And Leonardo Sbaraglia does his best performance until now, two thumbs up for him. Difficult to believe you're seeing this in Spain. It's an spectacle!! Intelligent, funny, terrible, fast, crazy, intelligent again... Much more than a movie!! It may not be perfect, but it certainly is a great great film!!