Biutiful (2010)

This is the story of Uxbal, a man living in this world, but able to see his death, which guides his every move.

Director:

Alejandro González Iñárritu

Writers:

Alejandro González Iñárritu (screenplay), Nicolás Giacobone (screenplay),

Stars:

Javier Bardem, Maricel Álvarez, Hanaa Bouchaib

Nominated for 2 Oscars. Another 16 wins & 33 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Javier Bardem	...	Uxbal
Maricel Álvarez	...	Marambra
Hanaa Bouchaib	...	Ana
Guillermo Estrella	...	Mateo
Eduard Fernández	...	Tito
Cheikh Ndiaye	...	Ekweme
Diaryatou Daff	...	Ige
Taisheng Chen	...	Hai (as Taishen Cheng)
Jin Luo	...	Liwei
George Chibuikwem Chukwuma	...	Samuel
Lang Sofia Lin	...	Li
Yodian Yang	...	Chino Obeso
Tuo Lin	...	Barman Bar Hai
Xueheng Chen	...	Chino Bodega
Xiaoyan Zhang	...	Jung

Storyline

Uxbal, single father of two children, finds his life in chaos as he is forced to deal with his life in order to escape the heat of crime in underground Barcelona, to break with the love for the divorced, manic depressive, abusive mother of his children and to regain spiritual insight in his life as he is diagnosed with terminal cancer.

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Plot Keywords:

illegal immigrant | children | immigrant | single father | chinese | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for disturbing images, language, some sexual content, nudity and drug use

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [de]

Country:

Mexico Spain

Language:

Spanish Chinese Wolof

Release Date:

22 October 2010 (Mexico)

Also Known As:

Biutipuli

Filming Locations:

Navarra, Spain

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

£156,029 (UK) (28 January 2011)

Gross:

$5,100,937 (USA) (3 June 2011)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Menageatroz, Mod Producciones, Focus Features

Technical Specs

Runtime:

148 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alejandro González Iñárritu spent 14 months editing the film.

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Goofs

In the scene where there are three dead boys lying, the hands of the middle boy changes in between shots.

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Quotes

Marambra: [weeping] If I close my eyes then the thoughts start. They make me scared. I called you. I called you many times. I can't give the children what they need. I'm so sorry I was cruel to Mateo. I'm doing what I can to survive. I really want to be faithful to you, but I also like to have some fun... like a whore.
Uxbal: Don't say that, Marambra. Forgive me. I've never known what I should give you; I still don't know. Something... I've never known. But we have hurt each other so much.
Marambra: Take me with you on ...
[...]

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Connections

Featured in The 83rd Annual Academy Awards (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Let the Music Play"
Performed by Barry White
Written by Barry White
Courtesy of Universal Music Mexico S.A. De C.V.
Publishing Warner Chappell Music Mexico S.A. De C.V.

User Reviews

The Ugly Beauty of Life

"Biutiful" is a sublime and intense epic - and possibly the best film of the year by a long way. Even though the setting is very different, the film shares themes with "American Beauty", and it succeeds in creating something close to a modern myth. It tells the story of Uxbal, who is a tough but loving single father of two young children, separated from his self-destructive bi-polar wife, Marambra. He scrapes a living in the backstreet black economy of Barcelona, where he operates as a middleman for those who exploit illegal immigrant labor. In addition to his dubious worldly talents, Uxbal possesses the psychic gift to convey messages from the recently deceased to their grieving relatives - and sometimes he compromises his principles by accepting payment for this service. Uxbal's discordant way of life reflects the essential human condition - trapped between the spiritual and material worlds - and when he learns that he is terminally ill with cancer, it seems as if his body must be manifesting his inner conflict. After his doctor informs him of his imminent death, Uxbal begins searching for a trustworthy person to raise his two children after he dies - and "Biutiful" tells of his struggle to put his affairs in order and accomplish this apparently impossible task while dark forces throw obstacles in his path. Those who have seen Inarritu's previous film "Amores Perros" will find themselves in familiar territory as Uxbal weaves his way through a labyrinth of mean streets and desperate people battling for survival. On the surface there is only the selfishness and brutality of a dog-eat-dog world, alleviated by brief moments of tenderness and self-sacrifice - but hidden amongst the chaos, one can perceive the age-old journey of the immortal hero towards liberation.