26/07/2024 - The Spanish director ventures into a psychological thriller in a film starring Julia Martínez, Diego Garisa and Nacho Sánchez and based on the novel of the same name by Marcelo Luján

Actress Julia Martínez, actor Nacho Sánchez and director Fernando Franco on the set of Subsuelo (© David Herranz)

Shooting has concluded on the fourth feature film by Fernando Franco, Subsuelo. Co-written with Begoña Arostegui and based on the work of the same name by the Argentinean writer Marcelo Luján, it is the first psychological thriller for the filmmaker from Seville. From the neo-noir and his unique intimate tone, the director offers a reflection on the dark secrets hidden behind a family marked by a tragic event.

Starring emerging actors Julia Martínez (the series La promesa) and Diego Garisa (the Netflix series Welcome to Eden) in the role of twin siblings, the film also features Nacho Sánchez (nominated for two Goya Awards for Manticore [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carlos Vermut
film profile] and Seventeen [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Daniel Sánchez Arévalo
film profile]), Sonia Almarcha (Goya nominee for The Good Boss [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]) and Itzan Escamilla (the Netflix series Elite). The cast also includes Montse Díaz, Íñigo de la Iglesia, Elvira Cuadrupani, Lucía de la Puerta, Gerardo de Pablos and Jorge Cabrera.

Subsuelo follows Eva (Julia Martínez) and Fabián (Diego Garisa), twins about to come of age. One summer night they are involved in a tragic accident. The specific circumstances are, however, opaque and only seem to be known to both siblings and Mabel (Sonia Almarcha), their mother.

The director has stated that, "the film deals with issues to do with the family as an institution and with the somewhat complex feeling of guilt. It also discusses abuse, in a broad sense that encompasses both abuse of power and physical abuse. Subsuelo raises these issues in a way that aims to make an impression on everyone. It isn’t so much about giving answers as it is about asking questions.”

Fernando Franco has been nominated up to six times for the Goya Awards as an editor for projects such as Blancanieves [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Pablo Berger
film profile], May God Save Us [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
film profile] and One Year, One Night [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Isaki Lacuesta
film profile]. He won his first Goya as a first-time director with Wounded [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fernando Franco
film profile] (2013). Both this and the films that followed it, Dying [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fernando Franco
film profile] (2017) and The Rite of Spring [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Fernando Franco and Koldo Z…
film profile] (2022) have had long festival runs, starting with San Sebastian. The first won the Special Jury Prize and Best Actress award in the competition (as well as the Goya for Best Actress), the second was presented at a special screening and the third returned to the competition (and also won the Goya for Best New Actor).

Subsuelo is a co-production of LaZona, Kowalski Films, Ferdydurke Films and Blizzard Films AIE, with the participation of RTVE, EiTB, Canal Sur and Movistar Plus+, and with funding from the ICAA and the Provincial Council of Gipuzkoa. Its international sales are managed by Elle Driver and it will be distributed in Spain by La Aventura and LaZona Pictures.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)