31/01/2025 - The Spanish filmmaker discusses the challenges of filming in the snow and explains why he chose Antonio Resines as the lead actor in his new film

Arriving in Spanish cinemas (distributed by Buena Vista International) on Friday 31 January, is Mikaela [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Daniel Calparsoro
film profile], the latest feature film from the ever-busy filmmaker Daniel Calparsoro (in 2024 he released the film El correo and the mini-series Bank Under Siege [+see also:
trailer
series profile]) a film that perfectly matches the temperatures outside, as it takes place during a winter storm. We had the following conversation with him.

Cineuropa: It is hard not to think of storm Filomena, which affected Spain exactly three years ago, as a source of inspiration for Mikaela.
Daniel Calparsoro: Indeed, Filomena was the starting point of this story. Inspired by that storm, Mikaela was initially conceived as an action thriller, but we soon realised there was an opportunity to delve deeper into the central story. Despite being an ensemble film, the story of the two protagonists turns into a Dickensian tale, to a certain extent, where a grumpy, hardened policeman—someone who’s had it all but is about to lose everything—crosses paths with a young woman who forces him to see his faults and prejudices, ultimately changing him.  It’s an action film with heart, where the characters embark on a journey in this snowstorm that changes them.

Is this your slowest film?  Because there are no car chases, unlike many of your previous films...
Mikaela is a fast-paced film. Although, the real strength of the film lies in its large and talented cast, who know how to bring their characters to life, showing fear, tension, humour, romance and friendship. The film moves quickly because it tells a story of persecution and takes you through different settings, each more spectacular than the last.

Why choose such a down-to-earth actor as Antonio Resines as the main character?
He is a very layered actor and for Mikaela, we needed an actor who could portray the darker side of the character. Antonio had already done that very well in Cell 211 [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Daniel Monzón
film profile] and Box 507, but he also naturally evokes empathy and has a certain endearing quality. That is the journey his character, Leo, makes. So, we didn’t overthink it — we offered the role to him directly.

The film is like a puzzle of genres: comedy, action, drama, romance... Was it difficult to combine all these elements?
It is an action thriller with a story that encompasses different tonalities. From the beginning, it was a challenge to combine these different tones to maintain the same consistency. However, the snow, Tommie Ferreras' cinematography, Carlos Jean's music, and Antonio Frutos' editing manage to create that consistency that makes the film a fast-paced and fun experience.

The film also reminded me of those disaster movies from the seventies, like Earthquake and The Towering Inferno, made up of multiple stories.
Mikaela contains elements that may remind you of many films, but it stands on its own. It is unique. However, it is an ensemble film centred around the protagonists, who ultimately become friends. We have the story of a family that witnesses the assault on the van, with two teenage children whose parents (Javier Albalá and Patricia Vico) are facing a crisis that will eventually be resolved. Then there’s the romantic story of Adriana Torrebejano and Roger Casamajor, who find love amidst the storm. And, of course, the central story of Antonio Resines and Natalia Azahara, which is an intergenerational relationship where the young woman shows the experienced policeman the way. And not forgetting the Russian robbers of the armoured car and the infighting between them. It is certainly very interesting to work on this kind of film.

What difficulties did you face filming in the snow, whether artificial or real?
Mikaela is a film shot entirely on location, both for exteriors and interiors. The snow is artificial and we made it ourselves. The most difficult aspect was focusing the lenses, lighting the night scenes, and positioning the camera at the right angle. But, at the end of each day we also had to remove the cars from the traffic jam, clean them and reposition them in the afternoon for the next day. It was a huge effort.

What message would you like to leave with the audience, aside from wanting them to enjoy Mikaela?
The film tells us that it is very important in life not to forget about yourself, not to be weighed down by discouragement, and to confront problems head-on.

(Translated from Spanish)