The little town of San Hilario uses to celebrate busy funerals organising noisy parties that end in its graveyard. They are keenly awaiting for the arrival of a new client , German Cortes , to spend his last days in the village , but this one dies on a train before reaching his destination . When a strong confrontation between mobsters and policemen takes place , the tough thief Antonio , Luis Homar , escapes and he takes the identity of German Cortes .Then , the good people of San Hilario ends up welcoming the mobster Antonio by mistake and to save their business .
This is a subtle , simple and endering , though rare, tale about the sympathetic villagers who use to make its living from their particular cemetery , but nowadays they need for quick funerals , that's why the people of San Hilario have almost run of work and the inhabitants need urgently to organize fabulous buryings . The film belongs to "Realismo Magico" or Magical Realism tendry , a fantasy style usually developing into the South American writings . This is a dramedy , drama and black comedy, dealing with interesting issues : life and death , redemption , rural habits and an enjoyable love story . Cast is pretty good , giving nice interpretation , such as Luis Homar as the fugitive who is glad to not clarify the misunderstanding , so witnesses in increasing amazement the preparations f his own burying . Ana Fernandez is very fine as the attractive tailor who dresses the corpses and falls for the unfortunate thief . And nice secondaries such as Ferran Rañe, Berliner , Dumont and Juan Echanove as priest Antonio .
This is a Spanish ,Argentina coproduction financed by Filmax Julio/Carlos Fernandez who have produced several hits , such as Terror movies : Romasanta, Mientras duermes, Transsiberian, Summer camp, Retornados , Arachnid, Rottweiler , Rec saga ; Cartoon movies : Gisuku, Donkeyxote, Nocturna , Copito de nieve , and dramas : El lobo , Kovak box , Bullying , among others . It displays an evocative and colorful cinematography shot in Patagonia by Javier Salmones , an expert cameraman who has photographed successes as Alegro ma non Troppo, Finisterre , Romasanta , Retornados , Posesion Emma Evans , Arte de morir , Voz de tu amo and Fie0sta de Chivo .The motion picture was professionally directed by Laura Maña . He is a prestigious actress and filmmaker . As an actress she has played a lot of films , usually in secondary cast such as 13 campanadas, Nowhere , Stand-by , Libertarias , La pasion Turca , La teta y la Luna. As a filmmaker she has directed notorious pictures such as Concepcion Arenal visitadora de carceles , Clara Campoamor , Ni Dios ni patron ni marido, Palabras encadenadas and Sexo por compasion. Rating : Acceptable and passable film . It won the following awards and nominations : Award winner Viareggio Europa Cinema best screeplay , winner Platinum Audience to Laura Maña . Malaga nominee Golden Bizenaga to Laura Maña . And nominee Butaca Awards 2005 best Catalan film Laura Maña and best Catalan film actor to Luis Homar .
