Winner of five Goya Awards (Spanish Oscars) including for Best Film, this is an unusual box office smash. It’s the true story of a frustrated bus driver, Manolo Vital (Eduard Fernández), who hijacks his own bus to draw attention to the neglected shantytown on the outskirts of Barcelona where he made his home in the 1950s.
This is very clearly a film about class, provincial (rather than ethnic) prejudices, and the power of collective, community action. As such it makes a fascinating companion piece to Sleepless City, also in our New Spanish Cinema programme. The spirit of Ken Loach is never far away — but with an uplift you rarely find in Loach’s stories.
A splendid film that deals about the neighborhood struggle as an engine of change in the search for the common good.
Blai Morrell, Fotogramas
A great work with a director, Marcel Barrena, who is very clear about what he wants to tell, and an ensemble of actors who make us experience what they represent.
Jordi Mir, El Pais
Great movie, a sincere look at a neighborhood, its people and their struggles.
Tony Vall, Cinemania
Marcel Barrena
Eduard Fernández, Clara Segura, David Verdaguer, Zoe Bonafonte, Salva Reina
Spain
2024
In Spanish with English subtitles
5 Goya Awards including Best Film
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
Credits
Screenwriter
Marcel Barrena, Alberto Marini
Cinematography
Isaac Vila
Also in This Series
This year’s New Spanish Cinema is packed with an exceptionally strong line-up — award-winning cinema, an Opening Gala featuring tapas and wine, and a flamenco-inspired VIFF Live.