BackWoods (2006) Bosque de sombras (original title)

Director:

Koldo Serra

Writers:

Jon Sagalá (screenplay) &
Koldo Serra (screenplay)

Release Date:

16 February 2007 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama | Thriller

Tagline:

There are hunters and prey...that's the only truth in this world.

Plot:

An English couple's holiday in Spain is interrupted when they discover a girl imprisoned in a cabin.

Plot Keywords:

Girl | Couple | Married Couple | Hands | 1970s

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Gary Oldman	...	Paul
Virginie Ledoyen	...	Lucy
Paddy Considine	...	Norman
Aitana Sánchez-Gijón	...	Isabel
Jon Ariño	...	Lechón
Lluís Homar	...	Paco
Kandido Uranga	...	Miguel (as Kándido Uranga)
Álex Angulo	...	José Andrés
Savitri Ceballos	...	José Andrés' Daughter
Patxi Bisquert	...	José Luis
José Andrés Zalguegui	...	Bartender (as José A. Zalduegui)
Ramón Churruca	...	Ignacio
Isabel Jiménez	...	Waitress
Yaiza Esteve	...	Nerea, The Child

Directed by
Koldo Serra

Writing credits
Jon Sagalá		(screenplay) &
Koldo Serra		(screenplay)

Produced by
Guillaume Benski	....	co-producer
Guillaume Benski	....	executive producer
Guillaume Benski	....	producer: Divine Productions
Gavin Emerson	....	co-producer
Carlos Fernández	....	executive producer
Julio Fernández	....	executive producer
Julio Fernández	....	producer
Teresa Gefaell	....	associate producer: Filmax
Aitor Lizarralde	....	co-producer
Aitor Lizarralde	....	producer: Videntia Frames Producciones
Pablo Mehler	....	co-producer
Pablo Mehler	....	executive producer
Pablo Mehler	....	producer: Divine Productions
Iker Monfort	....	executive producer
Iker Monfort	....	producer
Iker Monfort	....	producer: Monfort Producciones
Antonia Nava	....	co-executive producer
Aintzane Pérez de Palomar	....	associate producer: ETB
Aintzane Pérez de Palomar	....	co-producer (as Aintzane Pérez)
Elvira M. Sales	....	associate producer: Monfort Producciones (as Elvira Morales)
Ander Sistiaga	....	line producer
Jolyon Symonds	....	co-producer
Guadalupe Balaguer Trelles	....	associate producer: Monfort Producciones (as Guadalupe Balaguer)
Douglas Urbanski	....	executive producer
Santi Uriarte	....	associate producer: ETB

Original Music by
Fernando Velázquez

Cinematography by
Unax Mendía		(director of photography) (as Unax Mendia)

Film Editing by
Javier Ruiz Caldera

Casting by
Andrea Clark
Jeremy Zimmermann		(as Jeremy Zimmerman)

Art Direction by
Juanjo Gracia
Mario Suances

Set Decoration by
Mikel López

Costume Design by
Josune Lasa

Makeup Department
Oscar del Monte	....	special makeup artist (as Óscar del Monte)
Nacho Díaz	....	special makeup artist
Katy Fray	....	makeup artist
Katy Fray	....	makeup designer
Daniel Izar de la Fuente	....	special makeup artist (as Daniel Izar)
Yuraima Morcillo	....	hairdresser assistant
Yuraima Morcillo	....	makeup assistant
Jean-Jacques Puchu	....	hairdresser

Production Management
Eduard Aguiló	....	post-production supervisor
Teresa Gefaell	....	production supervisor: Filmax
Mikel Huércanos	....	unit production manager
Jesús L. Pérez Villar	....	post-production director (as Jesús Pérez Villar)

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Alfonso Nogueroles	....	third assistant director
José Ramón Otegui	....	second assistant director
Walter Prieto	....	first assistant director

Art Department
Ander Armendariz	....	art department assistant
Ángel Armenteros	....	painter
Eriz Arostegui	....	construction assistant
Mónica Ausín	....	props master
Eneko Añorga	....	construction assistant
Pedro Castelo	....	art department assistant
Lorna Gotlib	....	art director assistant
Iñaki Iriondo	....	construction manager
Jon Lorente	....	construction assistant
Christina Peláez	....	art department assistant
Koldo Serra	....	storyboard artist
Haitz Urdangarín	....	construction assistant
Sergio Vadillo	....	assistant set decorator

Sound Department
Eduardo G. Castro	....	assistant sound editor
Spencer Eagles	....	sound recordist
Spencer Eagles	....	sound
Raúl Marsal	....	re-recording mixer assistant: Soundtrack (as Raul Marsal)
Julien Martin	....	foley recordist
Andrew Morris	....	boom swinger
Julien Naudin	....	foley artist
Aitor Ortiz	....	cable man
Marc Orts	....	sound mixer
Nacho Royo-Villanova	....	sound editor
David Sans	....	technical supervisor: Soundtrack

Special Effects by
Anthony S. Ciccarelli	....	special effects technician (as Antoni Ciccarelli)
Pau Costa	....	special effects technician
Javier Jal	....	special effects technician
Javier H. Moneo	....	special effects technician (as Javier Hernández)

Visual Effects by
Pepe Cruz	....	digital visual effects coordinator: Kinema Postproducción
Alberto Esteban	....	digital visual effects producer: Kinema Postproducción
Ricardo G. Elipe	....	visual effects supervisor: Kinema Postproducción
Javier Hernanz Zajara	....	system administrator: Kinema Postproducción (as Javier Hernanz)
Javier Mosqueda	....	digital color grading: Kinema Postproducción
Víctor Poch	....	digital color grading: Kinema Postproducción
Chema Remacha	....	digital visual effects producer: Kinema Postproducción
Iñigo Remacha	....	operator: flame and shake, Kinema Postproducción
Javier Santaella	....	operator: flame and shake, Kinema Postproducción
Pablo Urrutia	....	visual effects supervisor: Kinema Postproducción

Camera and Electrical Department
Alex Abajo	....	additional electrician
David Acereto	....	camera operator
Iván Apalategui	....	electrician
Ricardo Aranburu	....	electrician (as Ricardo Aramburu)
Eva Aycart	....	camera loader
Iñigo Bach	....	key grip
Tucker Davila Wood	....	epk (as Tucker Dávila Wood)
Elías Fernández	....	gaffer
Elena González	....	additional electrician
José Haro	....	still photographer
Iker Ibarluzea	....	grip assistant
Alberto Martinez	....	second assistant camera (as Alberto Martínez)
Josu Martínez	....	epk
Itziar Montiaga	....	steadicam operator (as Iciar Montega)
Ernesto Núñez	....	electrician
Aitor Olarra	....	additional electrician
Gorka Rotaetxe	....	steadicam operator
Kike Santiago	....	playback operator
Enrique Santiago Silguero	....	video assist
Juanjo Sánchez	....	steadicam operator
Rachid Talid	....	steadicam operator
Xavier Urretavizcaya	....	electrician (as Xabier Urretabizcaia)
Marc Vigil	....	epk
Manuel Álvarez	....	first assistant camera

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Mónica Cristofoletti	....	wardrobe assistant (as Mónica Cristofoletty)
Estíbaliz Gabilondo	....	wardrobe department intern
Teresa Mora	....	wardrobe assistant
Gemma Rodríguez	....	wardrobe department intern

Editorial Department
Félix Bueno	....	post-production assistant
Felisa Catalinas	....	post-production coordinator: Technicolor Madrid
David Collados	....	negative cutter: Technicolor Madrid
Álex de Molina	....	post-production assistant
Noemí Dulau	....	effects film scanner: Technicolor Madrid (as Noemi Dulau)
Giorgio Giordano	....	technical director: Technicolor Madrid
Daniel González	....	color grader: Technicolor Madrid
Florencia Handler	....	effects film scanner: Technicolor Madrid
Carlos Martínez	....	laboratory: filming, Technicolor Madrid
Carmen Mesa	....	negative cutter: Technicolor Madrid
Marisa Mohedano	....	producer: Technicolor Madrid
Pilar Rodriguez	....	negative cutter: Technicolor Madrid (as Pilar Rodríguez)
María Jesús Sánchez	....	negative cutter: Technicolor Madrid (as María Jesús Sánchez-Morate)
Jan Vilanova	....	assistant editor
George Koran	....	colorist (uncredited)

Music Department
Julie Andrews	....	musician
Nicholas Bucknall	....	musician
Simon Chamberlain	....	musician
Errandu	....	musician: trikitixa
Eneko Espino	....	musician: pandeiro
Andrew Findon	....	musician (as Andy Findon)
Isobel Griffiths	....	orchestra contractor
Skaila Kanga	....	musician
Helen Keen	....	musician
Peter Lale	....	musician
Martin Loveday	....	musician
Harkaitz Martínez	....	musician: txalaparta
Perry Montague-Masson	....	musician
Oreka TX	....	musician: txalaparta
Igor Otxoa	....	musician: txalaparta
Anthony Pike	....	musician
Juan Antonio Ros	....	music engineer (as Juanan Ros)
Juan Antonio Ros	....	music recording engineer (as Juanan Ros)
Juan Antonio Ros	....	music recordist (as Juanan Ros)
Alex Ruíz de Azua	....	musician: whistle, harmonica
Mary Scully	....	musician
Leila Stacey	....	assistant orchestra contractor
Michael Thompson	....	musician (as Mike Thompson)
Fernando Velázquez	....	musician: Spanish guitar
Fernando Velázquez	....	orchestra conductor
Richard Watkins	....	musician
Gavyn Wright	....	orchestra leader

Transportation Department
Julio Alonso	....	driver: shooting vehicles
Pablo Arroyo	....	coordinator: shooting vehicles
Juan José Burguera	....	driver: art department vehicle
Alberto Casado	....	generator driver

Other crew
Arkaitz Aguado	....	location security
Andoni Aguirre	....	stand-in: rain effect
Oier Aguirre	....	location security
Eduardo Albaladejo	....	management of rights: Filmax Entertainment
Enrique Altuna	....	production cashier
Amalan	....	caterer
Jordi Aragay	....	accounting coordinator: Castelao Productions
Mari Arnedo	....	production assistant
Xabier Arrillaga	....	location security
Gorka Askasibar	....	additional production assistant
Aitor Barros	....	location security
Iker Bereziartua	....	production intern
Leire Bernabé	....	production secretary
Luján Blanco	....	additional production assistant
Mary Brites	....	production controller: Castelao Productions
José María Camacho	....	floor runner
Vicente Canales	....	head of sales
Basia Dereszewska	....	production coordinator: Holy Cow Films
Fabio Diéguez	....	animal trainer coordinator
Fabio Diéguez	....	animal wrangler (as Fabio Dieguez)
Nuria Domínguez	....	script
Ingy Fillion	....	production assistant: Divine Productions
Alexander García	....	location security (as Alex García)
Alexander García	....	production crew (as Alex García)
Teresa García	....	production assistant
Tania Gauder	....	legal affairs
François Georges-Picot	....	assistant: legal affairs
Peru Herrero	....	production intern
Mikel Huércanos	....	location manager
Amaya Iribar	....	dialogue coach
Meritxell Juncosa	....	production coordinator: Soundtrack
Pablo Larumbe	....	stand-in: rain effect
Miriam Manzano	....	production intern
Alberto Marini	....	script consultant
Moira McMillan	....	legal affairs
Yulene Monfort	....	accountant: Videntia Frames Producciones (as Yulene Monfort Pineda)
Manuel Monzón	....	development executive
Helena Moreno Núñez	....	development executive (as Helena Moreno)
Antonio Morán	....	animal wrangler
Victoria Musiedlak	....	production assistant: Divine Productions
Iñigo Olondris	....	location security
Aritz Ormazabal	....	location security
Maria Parrón	....	head of business and legal affairs
Walter Prieto	....	provider: walkie-talkies
Ana Rubio	....	production coordinator: Monfort Producciones
Martin Samper	....	making-of crew coordinator
Jon Sangroniz	....	production intern
Félix Sepúlveda	....	armorer: Magnum 44
Elena Serra	....	development executive
Koldo Serra	....	website designer (as Dr. Phibes)
Elisa Sirvent	....	production coordinator: Castelao Productions
Elise Toledo	....	production intern
Jorge Tuca	....	head of development
German Valledor	....	production intern (as Germán Valledor)
Manel Vicaria	....	press and promotion
Manuel Yebra	....	assistant to co-executive producer

Thanks
Mikel Clemente	....	the director wishes to thank
Borja Cobeaga	....	the director wishes to thank
Borja Crespo	....	the director wishes to thank
Nahikari Ipiña	....	the director wishes to thank
Josu Martínez	....	the director wishes to thank
Jon Sagalá	....	the director wishes to thank
Manolo Solo	....	the director wishes to thank
Patxi Urkijo	....	the director wishes to thank (as Don Patxi Urkijo)
Nacho Vigalondo	....	the director wishes to thank
Marc Vigil	....	the director wishes to thank

Production Companies

• Filmax Entertainment (presents)
• Monfort Producciones (presents)
• Castelao Producciones
• Divine Productions (in co-production with)
• Holy Cow Films (in co-production with)
• Videntia Frames (as Videntia Frames Producciones) (in co-production with)
• Euskal Telebista (ETB) (as ETB) (in co-production with)
• SE8 Group (in association with)

Distributors

• Filmax S.A. (2006) (Spain) (theatrical)
• Lionsgate (2007) (USA) (theatrical)
• 21st Century Pictures (2007) (Australia) (DVD)
• A-Film Home Entertainment (2009) (Netherlands) (DVD)
• Albatros Film (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• Canal+ (2007) (France) (TV)
• Filmax Home Video (2007) (Spain) (DVD)
• Future Film (2007) (Finland) (DVD)
• Lionsgate (2006) (USA) (all media)
• Lionsgate (2007) (Canada) (all media)
• Momentum Pictures Home Entertainment (2008) (UK) (DVD)
• Movie Bank (2006) (Netherlands) (DVD) (rental)
• New Select (2007) (Japan) (DVD)
• RTL Entertainment (2011) (Netherlands) (TV) (RTL8)
• Transeuropa Video Entertainment (TVE) (2007) (Argentina) (DVD)
• e-m-s the DVD-Company (2007) (Germany) (DVD)

Special Effects

• Kinema Digital (digital grading)
• Kinema Digital (visual effects)

Other Companies

• Canal+  collaboration
• Departamento de Cultura del Gobierno Vasco  participation
• Euskal Telebista (ETB)  collaboration
• Generalitat de Catalunya - Institut Català de les Indústries Culturals (ICIC)  participation
• ICF Institut Català de Finances  participation
• La Bocina  sound post-production
• Ministerio de Cultura  participation
• Televisió de Catalunya (TV3)  collaboration

Also Known As:

"Bosque de sombras" - UK (original title)
"The Backwoods" - Canada (English title) (DVD title), France, USA (DVD title)
"Spiral Violence" - Japan (English title) (DVD title)

Runtime:

97 min

Country:

UK | France | Spain

Language:

English | Spanish

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Australia:MA (2006) | Finland:K-15 | Argentina:18 | Spain:18 | Singapore:M18 | Netherlands:16 | Norway:15 (TV rating) | Germany:16 (DVD rating) | Portugal:M/16

Filming Locations:

Navarra, Spain

Company:

Filmax Entertainment

Trivia:

Gary Oldman, Paddy Considine and Virginie Ledoyen were dubbed for the Spanish version of the film. The scenes where the characters had whole scenes with English dialog were all dubbed. Only when the characters spoke in English with the Spanish characters, the dubbing actors said their lines in English. 'Aitana Sánchez-Gijon' dubbed herself.

Quotes:

Norman:I'm just trying to think!
Paul:Don't think! Let me think for both of us!

Movie Connections:

References "Little House on the Prairie" (1974)

Soundtrack:

Lover, lover, lover

Okay, here's why it gets a ten

First, what's wrong with it. Aside from Cohen's wonderful song, the sound and music were poor and didn't add anything. The cinematography was not particularly inventive or inspiring.

But still a 10.

Why?

Okay you have to catch what this excellent writing is up to.

The twist at the end is pure and righteous symmetry.

It's about justice and revenge, an atypical and furious interpretation of right and wrong. It's got a piece of The Unforgiven about it.

It posits that some things just can't be fixed, and that the penalty does often indeed involve even more suffering of the innocent.

All the acting is excellent. The direction is excellent.

The writing is difficult, twisted, demanding, and wonderful, hard to grasp at first, hard to at first grasp, even at the end. But within it's own pained logic of warfare, just.

The heroic transformation is really spectacularly fierce in that the delivery of justice and punishment requires such a high price to be paid by the destroyed innocent, and the hero, that it at first doesn't even seem like justice.... but it sinks in, that it is.

Sure, it has deliberate echos of Deliverance, but it's actually much more sinister and indirectly more disturbing, not just to personal safety, but to our perception of right and wrong, and justice, punishment, and revenge.

It reminds me in some ways of Death and the Maiden.

It could have almost been a stage piece.

If it wasn't low budget and foreign, with non-U.S.-well-known writing and directing, and with higher "production values", it would have made big stink here.

Or maybe not. Us Americans are often so dull about clear winning and losing, that they get lost in movies like this. Our loss.

Oh, and I want to thank Gary Oldman for taking a shot at this. I wouldn't have known about it or seen it with him, and I thank him for roping me in!

God only knows what great stuff I miss from not having the time to watch everything! I wish I could clone myself and have them watch it so, I would have reviews I could trust! ;)