Chavalas

A funny, spontaneous, free movie, although somewhat boring, and slow-moving. ¨Chavalas¨ starts presenting an universe of frivolity and posturing, where the young enthusiastic Marta (Vicky Luengo of Antidisturbios) fights to earn a place in the photography sector only suitable for chic people, unique niches and pitiminí artists. However, and unfortunately, due to a removal of personnel, Marta being fired and her dream is interrupted . As she has to return to her humble neighborhood much sooner than expected, there she will meet her best friends (Carolina Yuste, Elisabet Casanovas ,Ángela Cervantes) but whose lives some young women result to be as far away as possible from hers. Eventually , Marta finds a simple job working for Ramón (José Mota) in his photo shop specialized in weddings, baptisms and communions. As the four girls who were friends as teenagers in school reunite again , now grown women, to help each other make some serious decisions and along the way , they're amusing , partying , dancing, and playing , though some things go wrong . As Marta constantly discusses with her friends as well as her parents (Cristina Plazas , Mario Zorrilla) who still treat her as a little child.

A comedy with social remarks and brief dramatic elements about some youngsters , set in Cornellà that's located 8.2 miles or 13.2 kilometers from Barcelona. Protagonists distribute sympathetic and natural interpretations ,and here stands out Vicky Luengo as the ambitious young woman who's frustrated by her wish to have a life of full of greatness and fame faraway of her worker-class origins. Providing a message of perseverance and personal struggle in which a proud young female not only will find a chance to reconcile with her origins and who really she is, but the chance to be the artist that she always wanted to be.

Carol Rodriguez Colas's debut film, who joins the new pool of filmmakers who are revitalizing Spanish cinema in recent years, such as Pilar Palomero (Las Niñas), Arantxa Echevarrias (Carmen and Lola) or Carla Simon (Summer 1993, Alcarras). This is an agreeable debut by Carol Rodríguez Colás with a script written by her own sister, it is not an autobiographical story, but partially based on facts , as she states : ¨I know that urban universe well , in fact, the neighborhood that appears in the movie is my neighborhood¨. The picture got some awards and nominations , such as : Málaga Spanish Film Festival 2021Winner , Asecan Award , Best First Film Carol Rodríguez Colás , Silver Biznaga Audience Award . Spanish Actors Union 2022 Nominee Award of the Spanish Actors Union Film: Performance in a Minor Role, Female Carolina Yuste. Gaudí Awards 2022 Winner Gaudí Award Best Supporting Actress Ángela Cervantes , Nominee Gaudí Award Best Female Lead Vicky Luengo , Best Makeup and Hairstyles Montse Boqueras. Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, US 2021 Winner Festival Award Best Supporting Actress in a Foreign Language Film Carolina Yuste. Goya Awards 2022 Nominee Goya Best New Director Carol Rodríguez Colás , Best New Actress Ángela Cervantes.

Marta is cool, artsy and wants to break out as a photographer in Barcelona. However, its not going as planned and she comes back to the neighbourhood she grew up in and reconnects with her old girlfriends from childhood.

I really experienced this movie as genuine and heartfelt. The performances from the main cast (the four main girls) were superb and atmosphere in the modest "barrio" where Marta grew up felt so real and realistic.

The movie managed to tiptoe around any cliches and I think it was done beautifuly. I could have watched them talk about nothing for hours and wouldnt get bored.

Recommendation from my side.