Celda 211 (2009)

The story of two men on different sides of a prison riot -- the inmate leading the rebellion and the young guard trapped in the revolt, who poses as a prisoner in a desperate attempt to survive the ordeal.

Director:

Daniel Monzón

Writers:

Jorge Guerricaechevarría (adaptation), Daniel Monzón (adaptation)

Stars:

Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann, Antonio Resines

42 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Luis Tosar	...	Malamadre
Alberto Ammann	...	Juan Oliver
Antonio Resines	...	José Utrilla
Manuel Morón	...	Ernesto Almansa
Carlos Bardem	...	Apache
Marta Etura	...	Elena
Luis Zahera	...	Releches
Fernando Soto	...	Armando Nieto
Vicente Romero	...	Tachuela
Manolo Solo	...	Director cárcel
Patxi Bisquert	...	Jon Arteaga 'Potolo'
Josean Bengoetxea	...	Antxon Elorza 'El Profesor'
Anartz Zuazua	...	Asier Urruticoechea 'El Txiqui'
Miguel Martín	...	Pincho
Félix Cubero	...	Germán

Storyline

Juan Oliver wants to make a good impression at his new job as a prison officer and reports to work a day early, leaving his pregnant wife, Elena, at home. His destiny is forever changed by this fateful decision, as during his tour of the prison, an accident occurs that knocks him unconscious. He is rushed to the empty but visibly haunted walls of cell 211. As this diversion unfolds, inmates of the high security cell block strategically break free and hijack the penitentiary. Aware of the violence that is to come, the prison officers flee, leaving Juan stranded and unconscious in the heart of the riot. When Juan awakens, he immediately takes stock of the situation; in order to survive, he must pretend to be a prisoner. Juan develops a dialogue with the violent leader of the riot, Badass, and the two begin a partnership, Badass fully believing that Juan is a new inmate. Negotiations go smoothly until the rioters take three ETA (the militant Basque separatist organization) prisoners ...

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Plot Keywords:

spain | caligula character | prison riot | penitentiary | walkie talkie | 

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Genres:

Action | Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Official Sites:

Official [Spain]

Country:

Spain France

Language:

Spanish Basque English

Release Date:

6 November 2009 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Cell 211

Filming Locations:

Spain

Box Office

Budget:

$5,700,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$2,056,510 (Spain), 6 November 2009, Limited Release

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$19,300,483, 31 December 2011

Company Credits

Production Co:

Canal+ España, Canal+, La Fabrique 2

Technical Specs

Runtime:

113 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Juan José Ballesta auditioned several times for a role.

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Goofs

When the minister is heading to the prison, the car he is driven in is shown as an Audi A6 (1997) from the front, when arriving to the prison the car is shown from behind, but this is an Audi A8 (2005) model.

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Quotes

Malamadre: Where did you come from?
Juan Oliver: From 211.
Malamadre: That cell was empty.
Juan Oliver: Not anymore.

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Connections

Referenced in El hormiguero: Alberto Ammann (2017)

User Reviews

Raw, real, incomparable

This movie likens that of a gemstone- raw, real, unique, crafty and incomparable. I watched this movie, my first Spanish movie in cinema, with English subtitles and frankly, i was impressed. Though now the only regret i have is not mastering the language before the show. If only i could pay more attention to the movie instead of the translated words running at the bottom.

This is a story of a prison guard, Juan Oliver (played by Alberto A) who decided to go to work one day before he actually begins to 'make an impression'. What awaits him later is a riot, which forced him to be locked in Cell 211 after suffering an injury to his head. He knows the only way to live is to be one of them, and so he acted as an inmate. But until when can he keep it to himself? He has to make peace with the rest of the inmates and gain the trust of their 'leader' Malamadre (played by Luis Tosar) as they take hostage of high profile, terrorist-prisoners. He later learns an ugly news of his pregnant wife outside prison and his life is never the same again.

This movie plays around the humanity of man and how corruption and distrust can affect a man's freedom and ultimately, his life. There were moments in the show. Obviously, the prison riot. The police riot scene later was well delivered straight to its core, which led to the falling domino pieces in the movie. The turning point of Juan's character was when he received the news about his wife. Fine acting by all the cast with amazing characterization, awesome cinematography and directing at every scene!

The development of the plot is great, at points where it creates suspense left me on the edge of my seat. The blossoming relationship between Juan and Malamadre is well crafted, and believable- that i don't see in many other movies these days. It felt like Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Walking out the cinema, i was left to ponder at many questions with respect to the show. Why was Juan left in Cell 211 at the first place? As if a curse is cast to the cell. It will be interesting to watch the Hollywood remake of the movie in two years time and i hope it does remain to its authenticity. Definitely award-worthy, it accentuates prison drama at its best- pulling heartstrings despite its violence and vulgar language.

My cinematic experience has truly broadened. And i am sure yours will too after watching this movie.