Finding Altamira (2016)

Life and events of the man who realized one of the most important discoveries of the 19th century: Altamira's caves.

Director:

Hugh Hudson

Writers:

Olivia Hetreed, Olivia Hetreed

Stars:

Antonio Banderas, Clément Sibony, Rupert Everett

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Antonio Banderas	...	Marcelino
Clément Sibony	...	Émile Cartailhac
Rupert Everett	...	Monseñor
Javivi	...	Harlé (as Javivi Gil Valle)
Irene Escolar	...	María adulta
Pierre Niney	...	Paul Ratier
Nicholas Farrell	...	Vilanova
Allegra Allen	...	Young María Sautuola
Lluís Soler	...	Mero
Tábata Cerezo	...	Pasi
Golshifteh Farahani	...	Conchita
Chantal Garsan	...	Soprano
Concha Hidalgo	...	Marquesa
Katie Paterson	...	Carolina
Henry Goodman	...	De los Ríos

Storyline

Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola y de la Pedrueca, in 1868, accidentally discovered Paleolithic paintings with the help of a hunter named Modesto Cubillas inside Altamira's caves, located in Cantabria, north to Spain. Trying to expose their discovery to the academic world for that they study the paintings, Sautuola crashed against the skepticism and discredit of all experts, who claimed that the caves were false and the paintings made for the own Sautuola, in a effort to get rich. Looking for the truth, Sautuola was the rest of his life fighting to prove that those paintings were real, trying to restore his innocence from the accusations of falsehood launched against him.

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Plot Keywords:

cave | discovery | father daughter relationship | 19th century | spain | 

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Taglines:

Some secrets are too powerful to hide.

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

UK France Spain

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 April 2016 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Finding Altamira

Filming Locations:

Castro Urdiales, Cantabria, Spain

Box Office

Budget:

€8,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

€444,107 (Spain), 1 April 2016, Limited Release

Company Credits

Production Co:

Mare Nostrum Productions,El Maestro de Altamira, A.I.E.,Fox International Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

97 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film argues that the Catholic church opposed the discovery, and accused Sanz de Sautuola of forgery. This is not true. There was no official pronouncement of the Catholic church in Spain or in the Vatican about the authenticity of the paintings of Altamira.

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Goofs

At the end of the movie, it is said that Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola died in 1889. He actually died on June 2, 1888.

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Soundtracks

Nocturne (Op.46, No. 2)
Composed by Frédéric Chopin
Performed by Christopher Glynn (piano)

User Reviews

Good movie based on a lie

Movie deserves a 6 at least. Story is based on a complete distortion of the actual truth. Altamira caves were discovered by a shepherd/hunter. The film story is a fabrication of the rich Statuola family who sponsored the film, in order to falsely credit and "honor" their ancestor. Poor shepherd into oblivion, rich family takes the credit. So 1/10 from me, for hiding the truth and lying.