Synopsis

This is a two-voiced story: the voice of Israel, a gypsy boy from San Fernando who is obliged to give up singing flamenco after his father’s death because of the mourning, and the voice of Makiko, a Japanese nurse who left her country of origin and came to San Fernando to learn flamenco. A twofold story and, at the same time, a narrative and a documentary. The film departs from the two protagonists, their desires, their expectations, and follows their developments, their achievements, and their joys and grieves. The time of the narrative is mesmerizing, accompanied by the music of the city: Israel’s singing and the great masters of Spanish flamenco. This is a travel whose destination, as in life, is not determined in advance.

Awards:

Best Spanish film of the year, Catalan Association of Film Critics

Best Spanish film of the decade (Rockdelux).

Special Award of the Jury for the Best Film,  Las Palmas International Film Festival

Silver Apricoc, International Film Festival of Yerevan

Best Actor,  Las Palmas International Film Festival

Best Film and Best Sound,  Alcances Film Festival

Best Film, Best Director and Best Script, Guayaquil International Film Festival

Public award to the Best Film, Cinema Latino Tubingen.

Special mention an Award of the Young jury, Nantes Film Festival

Cast

Israel Gómez, Francisco José Gómez, Makiko Matsumura, Jesús Monje "Pijote",Saray Pinto, Soichi Yukimune.

Crew

Scriptwriter and director: Isaki Lacuesta
Executive producer: Paco Poch
Delegate producers: Pepón Singler, Sergio Castellote
Executive associate producer: Antonio Lobo
Director de producción: Manolo Limón
Director of photography: Diego Dussuel
Sound: Amanda Villavieja
Editing: Domi Parra
Music: Raimundo Amador, Joan Albert Amargós, Carles Benavent, Montse Cortés, Rubem Dantas, Jorge Prado, Ricardo Pachón Ea!, Elbicho

Produced by Mallerich Films Paco Poch, Jaleo Films, De Palacio Films
With the collaboration of: TVE, TVC, Canal+, ICAA, ICIC, Junta de Andalucía, Máster de Documental de la Universitat Pompeu Fabra

Technical data

Year: 2006
Genre: Documental
Screen ratio: 1:1.66
Languages: spanish/japanese
Subtitles: spanish, catalan, english
Running time: 115 min