The Dutchman's Island (Catalan: L'illa de l'holandès) is a 2001 Spanish drama film directed by Sigfrid Monleón[es] based on the novel by Ferran Torrent[es]. It stars Pere Ponce and Cristina Plazas.

Plot

In 1969, during the late Francoist dictatorship, university lecturer Lluís Dalmau is deported to a Spanish island on the Mediterranean Coast in which the inhabitants face the prospect of the arrival of tourism and the potential demise of the traditional salt industry. He falls for feral farmer Feli.

Cast

Production

The film was produced Oberon Cinematografica and Nisa Producciones and it had the association of TVE, Canal+, TVC, and TVV. It was shot in Valencian (Catalan) and other languages in locations such as Formentera, Ibiza, Barcelona, and Valencia.

Release

The film premiered at the Málaga Film Festival. Distributed by Lauren Film, it was released theatrically in Spain on 5 October 2001.

Reception

Jonathan Holland of Variety deemed the film to be "satisfyingly rounded island yarn combining intrigue and romance", featuring "good performances from an experienced but low-profile cast", "a skillfully crafted script and airy charm".

Accolades

YearAwardCategoryNominee(s)ResultRef.
20014th Málaga Film FestivalBest MusicJosé Manuel Pagán, Pascal ComeladeWon
200216th Goya AwardsBest Adapted ScreenplaySigfrid Monleón, Ferran Torrent, Teresa de Pelegrí, Dominic HarariNominated

See also