Santiago Requejo works on the post-production of All in Favour
- The feature film of the short film of the same name has a cast made up of Clara Lago, Tito Valverde, Gonzalo de Castro, Raúl Fernández de Pablo, Neus Sanz, Christian Checa and Charo Reina
Over the last few months, Santiago Requejo (Grandfathers [+see also:
trailer
film profile], Netflix film I Can't Live Without You) has shot All In Favour, a film based on the 2021 short film and play of the same name, which deals with the hot topic of mental health and the prejudices that plague it. The short film was Goya nominated in 2021 and was included in the shortlist for the Oscars, in the category of Best Live Action Short Film.
The feature film stars Clara Lago (Spanish Affair [+see also:
trailer
film profile], this year in the Netflix series Gangs of Galicia [+see also:
trailer
series profile]), Tito Valverde (Goya winner for Sombras en una batalla, this year in the Netflix series Bank Under Siege [+see also:
trailer
series profile]), Gonzalo de Castro (recently in Políticamente incorrectos), Raúl Fernández de Pablo (the series La Unidad [+see also:
trailer
series profile]), Neus Sanz (Volver [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Agustín Almodóvar
interview: Carmen Maura
interview: Pedro Almodóvar
interview: Pénélope Cruz
film profile], Good Manners), Christian Checa (On the Fringe [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Juan Diego Botto
film profile]), Charo Reina and Pepe Carrasco.
It tells the story of how, in a building in the centre of Madrid, a community of neighbours meets to vote on changing the lift. However, the unexpected news that a new tenant with mental health issues is going to rent the apartment from one of the landlords comes as a shock, and the meeting takes an unexpected turn.
The director remarks that “the case of a woman from Madrid, who suffered discrimination because of her mental health, marked a turning point in my life. I came across this story through a psychiatrist friend, who shared with me the tragic experience of a patient with paranoid schizophrenia, who lost the opportunity to rent an apartment due to pressure from neighbours and landlord. This led me to question my own prejudices and I delved into the fascinating world of mental health.”
“The success of the short film All in Favour prompted me to develop a feature film that would explore social prejudices towards mental health. My goal is to challenge preconceived ideas about these illnesses and to explore the lack of empathy prevailing in society. The film will take a realistic and humane approach to the issue, combining drama and comedy to provoke reflection on tolerance and empathy,” says the film's screenwriter and co-producer. “In terms of the creative process, I wanted to build an authentic and relevant story, with complex and engaging characters that reflect the viewer's reality. I’m inspired by the understated style of directors like Sidney Lumet, aiming to capture the authenticity of each scene and immerse the viewer in the experience of the characters. The cinematography and art direction will help aid the realism I'm trying to convey, reflecting the energy and depth of the characters. The film will maintain the dramatic tone of the short film, but will incorporate comedic elements to balance the social message with the necessary lightness.”
“I firmly believe that we all see ourselves as tolerant until we are faced with a personal dilemma. I therefore invite the viewer to reflect on their own empathy and tolerance in situations similar to those portrayed in this film. What would you do if you were at a neighbourhood meeting and had to decide whether to accept a person with mental health issues as a neighbour? This fundamental question will guide the narrative and the emotional impact of the film,” concludes Requejo.
All in Favour is produced by Votamos AIE, 2:59 Films and Pris&Batty Films, with the international sales agency Newen Connect (TF1). The film has received support from the Regional Ministry of Culture of the Community of Madrid.
(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)
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