Héroes de barrio

Paula (Luna Fulgencio) is a girl who plays on a girls' youth soccer team and asks her father, Luis (Antonio Pagudo) , to bring her Betis player Joaquín, who pretends to be a good friend, at the end of the season. Luis relies on his father (Antonio Dechent), a former boxer, and his friend Lito to try to win back the love of his wife Carmen (Lisi Linder), who is now living with a new partner (Jesús Olmedo). From a humble bar in a simple district of Seville, an odyssey begins to reach Joaquín, the funny Betis player, but that's nothing more than symbolism to tell us about the hard struggles of the day on the most modest streets of our cities. It's about a father's struggle to make his daughter, who holds him in high regard, happy, and a grandfather who is disappointed.

If you like simple, heartfelt movies, you might be interested in this one if you liked Neighborhood Heroes. Héroes del barrio (Neighborhood Heroes) teach us that family and parents come first, that dreaming is free, and that achieving goals and good purports in life, no matter how difficult, are not impossible to achieve. There are various stories all around, including typical problems of a little girl, antics and frolics of the children, father-daughter relationship, a separated marriage with the typical triangular drama and anything else. We are told of everyday family life with their misfortunes, joys and pains. A Spanish film starring Antonio Pagudo and Luna Fulgencio that teaches us that not fighting honestly for your dreams comes at a high price. You've probably heard of Antonio Pagudo from 'La que se avecina' and he has also participated in national and international shows like "Spingo" or "Star Trip" or upcoming releases like ¨Under Therapy¨ and¨ Por los pelos¨ (By the hair). While Luna Fulgencio is one of the most outstanding young actresses, a true child prodigy since ¨¡A todo tren! Destino Asturias¨ (2021) and the 'Padre no hay más que uno' trilogy. You'd have to go back in time to find a child prodigy of this caliber, like Marisol, Lolo García or Joselito himself.

'Héroes de barrio' (Neighborhood Heroes) is a film that boasts and pays tribute to ordinary people. The film deals with frustrations, wishes and unachieved goals, the family in this film dream and fantasize beyond their means, and that doesn't stop them from living day to day with jokes. More or less, what the film conveys is that dreaming is free and that accepting mediocrity isn't so bad, that true heroes don't understand mass idolatry but rather honesty or integrity. Humble characters from the slums of Seville star in this film, in which a young Betis fan wants to play for the Spanish Women's National Team, almost in the style of 'I Want to Be Like Beckham'. While she pursues that dream, her father tries to keep the family bar afloat. I mentioned 'Padre no hay más que uno' earlier, just as the third installment of that saga offers us a film set during the winter holidays in the middle of summer. The plot is enjoyable and lively, and the message is timeless and not at all Christmassy. This is a lighthearted, family-oriented comedy, very well-intentioned and with a touch of humor.

The entire cast of neighborhood heroes, the protagonists who play the story's father and daughter obviously stand out, but support actors like Antonio Dechent, Lisi Linder Jesús Olmedo and special mention for Alex O'Dogherty are also terrific for their own talent. The soundtrack of 'Héroes de barrio' (Neighborhood Heroes) is composed of rap music, giving it more of a street-level story flavor. Director Ángeles Reiné draws from them a distinct Andalusian accent and the relatability that any of our own neighbors can possess. With this new film, decently directed by Ángeles Reiné, she manages to be much more efficient and truthful than her film debut: 'Salir del ropero' ¨So My Grandma's a Lesbian!¨that got some Nominations in Almería International Short Film Festival 2020 Nominee Best First Film and ASECAN 2021, Nominee Award Best Supporting Actor Alex O'Dogherty. With (Coming Out of the Closet). Don't miss the closing credits, which include jokes from the friendly Betis soccer player. Rating: 6.5/10. Better than average.