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7 Virgins

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7 Virgins
Film poster
Spanish7 vírgenes
Directed byAlberto Rodríguez
Screenplay by
Starring
CinematographyAlex Catalán
Edited byJosé M. G. Moyano
Music byJulio de la Rosa
Production
companies
  • Tesela PC
  • La Zanfoña Producciones
Distributed byAlta Classics
Release dates
  • September 2005 (2005-09) (Toronto)[1]
  • 14 October 2005 (2005-10-14) (Spain)
Running time
86 minutes
CountrySpain
LanguageSpanish

7 Virgins (Spanish: 7 vírgenes)[n. 1] is a 2005 Spanish crime film directed by Alberto Rodríguez which stars Juan José Ballesta and Jesús Carroza. The film follows Tano, a juvenile delinquent in Seville that is given parole for a weekend.[2]

Plot

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In Seville, 16-year-old delinquent Tano is granted a 48-hour parole. His older brother José picks him up and invites him to his wedding, on the condition that Tano behaves himself over the weekend. However, shortly after arriving home, Tano steals money from his family and goes to a shopping mall with his friend Richi. There, Richi pickpockets a stranger, who quickly realizes the theft, prompting a chase by mall security. After narrowly escaping, Tano scolds Richi, warning him that further trouble could put him in permanent imprisonment. The pair then encounter José María, a man Richi has previously scammed by selling him a broken phone. José María demands his money back, but Richi persuades him to give the phone another chance. At a bar, Richi proposes Tano to escape during the parole, but Tano rejects it, unwilling to become a fugitive.

After spending time with his girlfriend, Patri, Tano reunites with Richi at a nightclub, where they meet two girls. As the evening progresses, Tano stays with one of them while she vomits in the bathroom and later frustrates Richi's attempt to the rape the other girl. The following day, they commit a burglary at a sportswear store, but are forced to flee when the owners pursue them. While wandering the streets afterward, Tano notices an obituary posted on a streetlight, which prompts memories of a car accident in which his mother died.

Upon returning home, Tano is confronted by José over the stolen money. He passes the night with Patri, but she ends their relationship confessing that her feelings towards him have changed. Back in his neighborhood, Tano joins Richi and a group of youths in an attack on a local pub. Although initially too despondent to take part, Tano is provoked and ends up violently assaulting another man, rendering him unconscious. As Tano prepares for the wedding, José appears deeply disillusioned, though he does not explain himself. Richi is confronted by José María again, who wants the money back immediately. While pretending to go back to his apartment to get the money, Richi secretly escapes to the wedding.

Following the wedding, Tano and Richi discuss their future, with Richi showing Tano an apartment he hopes to purchase. As they part ways, José María appears and violently assaults Richi. Bystanders intervene to assist Richi and restrain José María, while Tano remains frozen, unable to act. Later, José drives Tano back to the detention center. Realizing that no one in his neighborhood has a future, regardless of whether they follow the law or not, Tano begs José to let him go. After initial hesitation, José tearfully agrees, allowing Tano to flee and become a fugitive.

Cast

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Production

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The screenplay was penned by Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos.[3] The film is a Tesela PC and La Zanfoña Producciones production.[5] It was shot in Seville in 2004.[6]

Release

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Distributed by Alta Classics,[7] the film was released theatrically in Spain on 14 October 2005.[6]

Accolades

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Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2006 20th Goya Awards Best Film Nominated [8]
Best Director Alberto Rodríguez Nominated
Best Original Screenplay Rafael Cobos, Alberto Rodríguez Nominated
Best Actor Juan José Ballesta Nominated
Best New Actor Jesús Carroza Won
Best New Actress Alba Rodríguez Nominated
15th Actors and Actresses Union Awards Best New Actor Jesús Carroza Nominated [9][10]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ The film is named after a ritual involving Mary mentioned on the film.[citation needed]

References

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  1. ^ Hernandez, Eugene (29 June 2005). "Mehta's "Water" to Open Toronto Fest, Ang Lee's "Brokeback" Set; Other Titles Also Unveiled". IndieWire. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  2. ^ Ortiz Sevilla, Braulio (27 September 2014). ""La Historia se nos olvida muy rápido"". Europa Sur.
  3. ^ a b c Luque, Alejandra (9 March 2020). "'7 vírgenes' vuelve a la gran pantalla dentro de un ciclo de cine 'quinqui' en la Filmoteca". Cordópolis – via eldiario.es.
  4. ^ a b c d e f "7 vírgenes". elmundo.es. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  5. ^ a b Belausteguigoitia, Santiago (6 October 2005). ""La imposibilidad de ser libre"". El País.
  6. ^ a b Calleja, Pedro (19 October 2005). "Menores de edad, pero adultos". Metrópoli – via El Mundo.
  7. ^ Pinto, Vitor (20 September 2005). "Alberto Rodríguez presents 7 Virgenes". Cineuropa.
  8. ^ "7 vírgenes". premiosgoya.com. Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. Retrieved 11 July 2022.
  9. ^ "Manuel Alexandre, Carmelo Gómez y Adriana Ozores optan entre otros a los XV Premios Unión de Actores". El Mundo. 30 March 2006.
  10. ^ Maldivia, Beatriz (30 May 2006). "Candela Peña y Manuel Alexandre premiados por la Unión de Actores". Espinof (in Spanish).
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