Set in Santa Coloma de Gramenet and featuring the backdrop of gender violence, the plot follows the vicissitudes of Estrella, a good-willed and joyful woman (with her boyfriend Salva and her best friend Trini around). She takes the reins of her life in a search for happiness.[1][2]
Written by Alberto Aranda and Belén Carmona,[1] the film is based on the novel of the same name by Belén Carmona.[2] It is a A Contraluz Films production, and it had the participation of TVC and TVE, and support from ICEC [ca] and ICAA.[4] It was primarily shot in Santa Coloma de Gramenet (specifically in Les Oliveres neighborhood).[5]
Release
The film was presented in the 'Malaga Premiere' section of the 16th Málaga Film Festival in April 2013.[6] Distributed by Splendor Films,[1] the film was theatrically released in Spain on 24 May 2013.
Reception
Mariló García of Cinemanía rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, deeming it to be "tedious in its execution and presumable in its development", concluding that "not even Ingrid Rubio's luminous smile manages to captivate us".[7]
Javier Ocaña of El País noted the discrete yields reaped by the film, in which authenticity only appears in dribs and drabs.[8]
Toni Vall of Ara rated the film 2 out of 5 stars, praising the "tireless struggle [by Aranda] to project light and filmic truth" to a story that has however "been explained to us a thousand and one times before".[9]