La balsa de piedra (2002)

An inexplicable crack in the Pyrenees Mountains provokes excitement and scientific curiosity. As the geological fracture deepens and widens, the European community begins to disassociate ... See full summary »

Director:

George Sluizer

Writers:

Yvette Biro, José Saramago (novel)

Stars:

Federico Luppi, Icíar Bollaín, Gabino Diego

3 wins & 5 nominations.

Cast

Credited cast:
Federico Luppi	...	Pedro
Icíar Bollaín	...	Maria (as Iciar Bollain)
Gabino Diego	...	Jose
Ana Padrão	...	Joana (as Ana Padrao)
Diogo Infante	...	Joaquim
Antonia San Juan	...	Ministra Enriquez
Rebeca Tébar	...	Chica Del Peaje (as Rebeca Tebar)
Simon Chandler	...	Primer Ministro Ingles
Marques D'Arede	...	Presidente de Portugal
Manuel Galiana	...	Primer Ministro Español
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Francisco Algora	...	Capataz Espana
Raúl Cano	...	Ayudante de Pedro
Luís Castro	...	Cientifico 3
Jose Luis Chavarria Perez	...	Sismologo
Sixto Cid	...	Entrevistador

Storyline

An inexplicable crack in the Pyrenees Mountains provokes excitement and scientific curiosity. As the geological fracture deepens and widens, the European community begins to disassociate itself from the calamity, and panic ensues among tourists and residents attempting to escape. When Spain and Portugal physically separate from the continent, the detached Iberian peninsula aimlessly floats off to sea, becoming home to a group of god-like humans.

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Plot Keywords:

road movie | based on novel | 

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Taglines:

A strange journey of discovery in a world set adrift.

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Genres:

Drama | Fantasy

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official Site [Spain]

Country:

Spain Portugal Netherlands

Language:

Spanish Portuguese

Release Date:

19 September 2002 (Netherlands)

Also Known As:

A Jangada de Pedra

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

€102,493 (Spain), 25 May 2003, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Lusomundo,MGS Film,Sogecine

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

User Reviews

Three men, two women, a dog and a horse....

Unexpected things are seen happening all over the Iberian peninsula. In Spain, Jose, a school teacher, sees a flock of starlings flying overhead; the birds seem to follow him. Joaquim, who has been fishing, returns home and throws a stone to the sea, and instead of sinking, it is seen jumping over the water. Pedro, a pharmacist, senses how the earth trembles. Joana tries to erase a line on the earth, but it keeps reappearing.

All of these characters plus Maria, are drawn together as these phenomena is playing a big part in their world. Maria, who has a small farm, is the only one who has her feet on the ground and acts as a steady influence. From Portugal to Spain, the five new friends embark in a journey of discovery as they try to comprehend what is going on. Supposedly, the Iberian peninsula will crash against the Azores islands as Iberia is moving southward. Upon reaching the Pyrinees, the group finds out they have been separated by the rest of Europe and that France really has never existed! George Sluizer's take on the Jose Samarango's enigmatic novel presents the viewer with a lot of ideas. The mere idea of the separation of the Iberian peninsula is preposterous, but in Samarango's view, he might feel they are all alone, or a land surrounded by water from all sides.

Federico Luppi is Pedro, an older man whose life is drawing to a close. Mr. Luppi, one of the best actors working in Spanish cinema makes an impression with this enigmatic man. Iciar Bollain, is Maria. Gabino Diego, Ana Padrao and Daogo Infante, are seen as the other members of the wandering quintet.

The film is full of symbolism that will be lost to anyone viewing the film as entertainment. Mr. Samarago is showing us how myths and superstitions can take us in a different direction. Mr. Sluizer directed with an eye for detail in presenting this story.