Clare Arts

Official Competition (Competencia Oficial)

Directors: Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat

Cast: Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Oscar Martinez

Film INFO: 115minutes,   Language: Spain, Argentina,  2021,     Cert:  15A

In this Spanish comedy, a millionaire decides on his eightieth birthday that he needs something more memorable than business success to guarantee his legacy. He decides to produce a film and after securing the rights to a Nobel Prize-winning novel, engages acclaimed but unconventional auteur Lola Cuevas (Penelope Cruz) to direct. She in turn casts two very different actors–global movie star Felix (Antonio Banderas)and distinguished thespian Ivan (Oscar Martínez)-as her leads. Before long, methods, personalities and egos clash!

Official Competition is a clever satire that pokes fun at various elements of film culture, but also has some genuine laugh-out-loud moments. All three actors are clearly enjoying themselves, but it is Cruz that is the stand out here.