Lena is a 2001 Spanish-Portuguese coming-of-age drama film directed by Gonzalo Tapia which stars Marta Larralde as the title character alongside Manuel Manquiña and Roberto Álvarez.

Plot

Set in Vigo, the plot follows teenager Lena and her relationship with her father Gorrión (in a situation of long-term unemployement) as well as with the group of local drug-smuggling henchmen who badly beat Gorrión.

Cast

  • Marta Larralde as Lena
  • Manuel Manquiña as Gorrión
  • Roberto Álvarez[es] as Milio
  • Vitor Norte as Cachero
  • Luis Tosar as Gitano
  • Luis Zahera as Antonio
  • Iván Hermés[es] as Manu
  • Antón Reixa as comisario Fernández
  • Carlos Kaniowsky as Esteban
  • Nuria Sanz as Mariola
  • Irene García Bustos as Carmen
  • Israel Rodríguez as Toño
  • Andrés Fraga as Sebe
  • Josito Porto as Ramón
  • Luma Gómez as Rosa
  • Feli Manzano as Isabel

Production

The film is a Trafico de Ideas, La Iguana, Alta Films, Portozas Vision, and Take 2000 Spanish-Portuguese co-production with the participation of TVG, TVE, and Canal+. It boasted a 250 million ₧ budget. It was primarily shot in Vigo.

Release

The film received a pre-screening at Vigo's Cine Fraga[es] on 1 May 2001. Distributed by Alta Films, it was released theatrically in Spain on 11 May 2001.

Reception

Casimiro Torreiro of El País described the film as "a straightforward, linear, unpretentious film that tells a simple yet effective story".

Jonathan Holland of Variety considered that the film manages to pull it off pretty well the fusing of coming-of-age teen drama with a "none-too-gripping tale of villainous drug runners".

See also