Elisa, vida mía
Elisa, vida mía is a 1977 Spanish drama film written and directed by Carlos Saura. The film stars Saura's long-term companion and frequent collaborator, Geraldine Chaplin. She stars alongside, Fernando Rey who won the Best Actor award at the 1977 Cannes Film Festival for his performance.[1]
| Elisa, vida mía | |
|---|---|
 French film poster | |
| Directed by | Carlos Saura |
| Produced by | Elías Querejeta |
| Written by | Carlos Saura |
| Starring | Fernando Rey Geraldine Chaplin |
| Music by | Giorgio Mainiero Erik Satie from "Gnossienne No. 3" |
| Cinematography | Teodoro Escamilla |
| Edited by | Pablo González del Amo |
Release date |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Plot
On a secluded farmhouse in Castile and León, Luis is reunited with his estranged daughter, Elisa after a 20-year separation. On the farmhouse, Luis writes what appears at times to be both an autobiography and a novel. The book is played out, with memories of the past, such as when Luis walked out on his family and is mixed with fantasies about Elisa's adult life as well as her failed marriage.[2]
Cast
- Geraldine Chaplin as Elisa Santamaria/mother of Elisa
- Fernando Rey as Luis
- Ana Torrent as Elisa as child
- Norman Briski as Antonio
- Arantxa Escamilla as Niña Isabel
- Jacobo Escamillaa as Niño
- Francisco Guijar as Médico
- Joaquín Hinojosa as Julián
- Isabel Mestres
Reception
Vincent Canby of The New York Times praised Chaplin and Rey; "The main reasons to see the film are the two leading performances. Mr. Rey is always an interesting presence, and Miss. Chaplin as in all of her Saura films, reveals qualities of feeling, control and beauty that no other directors have ever found."[2]
Saura was nominated for the Palme d'Or for the film, and won Best Director at Spain's Cinema Writers Circle Awards.[3]
References
- "Festival de Cannes: Elisa, vida mía". festival-cannes.com. Archived from the original on 27 September 2012. Retrieved 2009-05-10.
- Canby, Vincent. Film: "Elisa, Vida Mia", pp. 8. The New York Times. 11 March 1983. Retrieved on 30 July 2011
- Awards for Elisa, vida mia Retrieved on 30 July