Fun , amusing and touching flick about a loser called Fidel (Antonio Resines) attempting to a pull off a peculiar social protest . This is an interesting Dramedy : comedy with brief touches of drama more in less than 90 minutes of length and yet with an air of naturalness and credibility ; though essentially predominates comedy in which a miner taking a particular protest on their own hands . The setting is city of Mieres (Asturias) and surroundings , home of a massive industry and jobs aplenty . Today with the industry and mining in decline and with a lot of deadly accidents the worthy works have been closed down , there is widespread unemployment , strikes and despair . It tells the story of an Asturian miner Fidel who tiring for the social and economical crisis -and being supported by the likable father-in-law (Manuel Alexandre) and opposed of his mother (Emma Penella)- decides to proceed his special social protest . As Fidel along with his family , wife (Adriana Ozores) , and six-year-old child , decide to walk 500 kilometers for being received by the king of Spain , Juan Carlos I , and then ask him for the right of all the workers to have a valuable job . Along the way he meets a thief who steals his belongings , some evaded immigrants , another Portuguese family in a similar state whose father (Manuel Manquiña) attempts to imitate Fidel , throwing stones each other , and several other things . As Fidel crosses Spain from Asturias to Madrid , suffering a lot of adventures , misfortunes and distresses , among others .
This entertaining film knows very well inter-cross these two genres , comedy with brief touches of drama , although the most comfortable note in the enjoyable comedy . Including a sour denounce about injustices , regarding unemployment , exploitation , and corruption . It is presented as a comedy , but it does have some very moving moments, as it shows the despair , desolation of unemployment and mining lockout . And it subtly displays the economic conditions of Aznar/Zapatero's Spain, where entire industries were shut down , taking jobs and local economies along with them . The picture relies heavily on the relationship between two main characters , Antonio Resines-Adriana Ozores , though some of the sub-plots needed more fleshing out . Yet the laughs are sprinkled throughout nicely , and even though each man has their own personal fears to overcome, they find strength in each other, which makes the experience all the more fruitful .
It's fun, but no less likable , though some infinite sadness follows the film at times , including a touching finale . The film moves in fits and starts most of which would be desirable , with more traps the viewer resists any kind, and some moments of enjoyment and others quite a few disconcerting . This is a pleasant flick that contains humor , entertainment and amusement as well as thought-provoking issues . The film gives a nice character studio of a desperate miner well played by Antonio Resines . As the picture pays tribute to this magnificent actor , Antonio Resines , a famous player and producer, known for his acting in films as : Línea Del Cielo , Todo Por Pasta , Amanece Que No Es Poco , La Buena Estrella , Carreteras Secundarias , Tiempo De Felicidad , Celda 211 (2009) and TV as Ladrones van a Oficina , Los Serrano (2003), and A las Once En Casa (1998). And special mention to appearance by veteran Manuel Alexandre as a very good performed old man . Furthermore , other notorious secondaries give phenomenal acting , such as : Emma Penella , Pep Oliva , Eduardo Antuña , Antonio Gamero , Antonio Dechent , Manuel Manquiña . And , as usual , cameo by Santiago Segura .
Colorful as well as evocative cinematography by Julio Madurga. Attractive soundtrack by Juan Carlos Cuello , with plenty of Asturian music , communist songs , and musical sounds in country style . Being well produced by two great producers : Pedro Costa and Enrique Cerezo . The motion picture was professionally written and directed by José Antonio Quirós , an usual documentary filmmaker , this one results to be his first flick . He has directed a few films as Cenizas del Cielo (2008) and Todo El Tiempo del Mundo (2014). The picture will appeal to Spanish cinema fans .
