The Fear (Catalan: La por) is a 2013 Spanish psychological drama film directed by Jordi Cadena from a screenplay co-written by Núria Villazán based on the novel M by Lolita Bosch. It stars Igor Szpakowski alongside Roser Camí, Ramon Madaula, and Alícia Falcó.
Contents
Plot
The plot follows the plight of Manel, a teenager scared of becoming someone like his father, who beats Manel's mother, sister and Manel himself.
Cast
Igor Szpakowski as Manel
Roser Camí as the mother
Ramon Madaula as the father
Alícia Falcó as Coral
Guille Lloberas as Xavi
Nina Pomodoro as Laura
Production
Based on the novel M by Lolita Bosch, The Fear is an Oberon Cinematográfica production and it had the collaboration of ICEC, TVC, and Creative Europe MEDIA.
Release
For its world premiere, the film made it to the lineup of the 57th BFI London Film Festival. Likewise, the film was also presented at the 58th Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) on 21 October 2013. Distributed by Splendor Films, it was released theatrically in Spain on 22 November 2013.
Reception
Jonathan Holland of The Hollywood Reporter described the film as "a viewing experience which, though undeniably harrowing, never fully engages with the profound, dark issues it raises".
Mirito Torreiro of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, declaring it an "extraordinary instance of narrative maturity", with its "measured, impeccable" dramatic crescendo and a closing with no concessions.
Sergi Sánchez of La Razón wrote that "With the exception of an unfortunate flash-forward unnecessarily giving away the ending, the director "steers the story with a steady hand toward its devastating conclusion".
Jordi Costa of El País deemed the film to be an "outstanding, piercing" miniature.