| Volver a empezar | |
|---|---|
 Film poster | |
| Directed by | José Luis Garci |
| Written by | José Luis Garci Ángel Llorente |
| Produced by | José Luis Garci |
| Starring | Antonio Ferrandis Encarna Paso |
| Cinematography | Manuel Rojas |
| Edited by | Miguel González Sinde |
| Music by | Johann Pachelbel Cole Porter |
Production company | Nickel Odeon |
Release date |
|
Running time | 87 minutes |
| Country | Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
| Box office | ESP 190,713,512 (Spain) |
Begin the Beguine (Spanish:Volver a empezar) is a 1982 Spanish film written and directed byJosé Luis Garci, starringAntonio Ferrandis. The plot follows the story of a Spaniard who returns to his homeland after many years in exile when he wins theNobel Prize in Literature. Its originalSpanish title,Volver a Empezar, meansStarting Again.
The film won theAcademy Award for Best Foreign Language Film at the55th Academy Awards,[1] and was the first Spanish film to do so.
The film tells the story of Antonio Albajara, a renowned Spanish writer who returns to his hometown after 40 years, triggering memories of his past and exploring themes of love, loss, and personal fulfillment.
The film opens with Antonio Albajara (played by Antonio Ferrandis), a Nobel Prize-winning writer, embarking on a journey back to his roots in his hometown ofGijón, revisiting the places and people that shaped his early years.
Now, decades later, Antonio reconnects with old friends and acquaintances. He encounters Elena (played by Encarna Paso), a woman with whom he who was once in love and for whom he has carried a torch all these years. Their reunion sparks a renewed connection and rekindles their long-held feelings.
The plot also connects Antonio's exile and life abroad with the Spanish political events during the mid-20th century, and the impact ofthe dictatorship of Francisco Franco in the life ofthose that left the country at the end of the 1930s. A phone conversation withKing Juan Carlos I at the beginning of the movie representsthe new openness of Spain after the death of Franco in 1975.
Throughout the film, Antonio's relationship with Elena is a central thread. They navigate their complicated history and the possibilities of starting anew. The film explores the deep bond and unfulfilled love between the two characters, as they grapple with their shared memories and the choices they made.
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