14/03/2008

Filmax are releasing Antonio Hernández’s The Lesser Evil, starring Carmen Maura, Roberto Álvarez and Verónica Echegui.

The entire artistic team were in Madrid to present this distinctly political film, which takes on even greater significance in the immediate aftermath of the general elections of last Sunday.

The film premiered at last year’s Malaga Spanish Film Festival, where it picked up three awards (Best Screenplay, Best Costume Design and Best Supporting Actress) and was considered one of the top winners.

This feature – which is the first to be made with entirely Galician funding – is a black comedy that focuses on corruption and politics. The director doesn’t hide his intentions: “We wanted to release the film before the elections, to see if we could have some influence. Fortunately, we didn’t need to”.

The film tells the story of Eduardo, a right-wing politician who lives in Madrid. Before getting involved in the electoral campaign, he decides to take a holiday in his home town in Galicia, taking advantage of the fact that his sister Julia will be away from the house, as she plans to go to the beach. However, an unexpected accident means that she has to stay behind, ruining Eduardo’s plans, as he has brought his young lover along.

One of the main attractions of the film is undoubtedly Maura, who gives a wonderful performance as Julia, a role in which she felt “very comfortable”. However, the actress explained, with her usual frankness: “I don’t like the fact that my character limps. I don’t feel happy when I’m given roles like this. There are other actresses who are delighted to play a lame or blind character, but I’m not one of them”.

(Translated from Spanish)