31/01/2005 - Alejandro Amenábar was the great winner of the Goya’s Ceremony last night in Madrid. His latest film The Sea Inside won 15 awards, including the major categories Best Film, Best Director and Best actor for Javier Bardem

Alejandro Amenábar was the great winner of the Goya’s Ceremony last night in Madrid. His latest film The Sea Inside [+see also:
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The forth film by the 32 year old Chilean born director is considered a turning point in his filmmaking career. While Thesis (1995), Open your eyes (1997) and The Others (2001) were chilling thrillers, The Sea Inside is a drama based on the real story of Ramón Sampedro, a former sailor who became a symbol for those defending the legalisation of euthanasia. The film premiered in the last Venice Film Festival and gave Javier Bardem his second Volpi for best actor after his performance in Julian Schenabel’s Before Night Falls (2001). The Spanish academy recognised Bardem’s work, but did not forget the other members of the cast. Lola Dueñas won the Goya for the best actress, while Mabel Rivera and Celso Bugallo got home, respectively, the Goyas for best supporting actress and best supporting actor. Belén Rueda was considered the best promising actress and teenage Tamar Novas was chosen the best promising actor. The Sea Inside did also make a splash in other categories, such as original screenplay, original score, sound, best photography, best artistic direction and make up.

After the national recognition last night, Amenábar might get the ultimate international acknowledgment next February 27, in the Academy Awards ceremony. The Sea Inside might present Spain with the forth Oscar of its History, after Volver a Empezar(1982), Belle Epoque (1993) and All about my mother(1999).