Una noche
Directed byLucy Mulloy
Written byLucy Mulloy
Produced byDaniel Mulloy
Lucy Mulloy
Maite Artieda
Sandy Perez Aguila
StarringDariel Arrechaga
Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre
Javier Nuñez Florián
CinematographyShlomo Godder
Trevor Forrest
Edited byCindy Lee
Production
companies
Una Noche Films
Mulloy Productions
Distributed bySundance Selects
Release date
  • 16 February 2012 (2012-02-16) (Berlin International Film Festival)
Running time
89 minutes
CountryCuba/ UK/ US
LanguagesSpanish
English

Una noche (One Night) is a 2012 Cuban-set drama-thriller film written and directed by Lucy Mulloy and starring Dariel Arrechaga, Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre, and Javier Nuñez Florián.

Plot

Trapped in desperate poverty in Havana, Raúl dreams of escaping to Miami. When accused of assaulting a tourist, he sees fleeing Cuba as his only option. He begs his best friend, Elio, to abandon everything, including his family, and help him reach Miami, 90 miles across the ocean. Elio's commitment is tested when he is torn between helping Raúl escape and protecting his twin sister, Lila. The three leave on a raft which Elio made of tires. Sharks are attracted by Lila's menstrual blood seeping into the water. Elio dies when trying to rescue Lila. Raúl and Lila end up adrift, clinging to a styrofoam board, and are pulled to the Cuban shore by British tourists with their jet skis.

Production

Mulloy spent years in Havana researching for her first feature Una noche. Whilst in Cuba Mulloy's story developed as she searched for young untrained talent to take the lead roles. Mulloy received a production grant and mentorship from Spike Lee.[1]

Real-life defection

While in Miami to promote the film in 2012, actors Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre (Lila) and Javier Nuñez Florián (Elio) disappeared. When they made contact, they indicated they were defecting, requesting political asylum.[1][2][3][4][5][6]

Reception

Actors Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre, Javier Núñez Florián and director Lucy Mulloy at the Miami Film Society special event screening of Una noche at the Paragon Coconut Grove in 2013.

Una noche world premiered at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival in the Generation Competition and had its US premier at the 2012 Tribeca Film Festival.[7] "A pulsing debut feature has an undercurrent of ribald comedy that doesn't entirely prepare the viewer for the harrowing turn it takes."[8]

Una noche shot to international media attention, ahead of its US premiere when two of the film's lead actors, Javier Nuñez Florián and Anailín de la Rúa de la Torre, on their way to present the film at its US premier in Tribeca Film Festival, disappeared, reportedly defecting to the US.[2][3][4][5][6]

In a highly publicized twist Javier Nuñez Florián and his co-star Dariel Arrechada went on to win the Best Actor Award with Nuñez remaining in hiding during the ensuing media frenzy.[5][6] "Una Noche cleaned up at Tribeca Film Festival in juried awards, taking home best actor, cinematography, and new director honors in the Narrative competition."[4]

Accolades

In 2010, with Una noche in full production, Mulloy was awarded the Creative Promise Emerging Narrative Award at Tribeca Film Festival.[9] In January 2010 Una noche won the Spike Lee Production Grant Award for film production.[10] Winner 2010 Adrienne Shelly Foundation IFP Director's Grant.[11] Winner 2011 Gotham Award Euphoria Calvin Klein Spotlight on Women Filmmakers’ ‘Live The Dream’ post production grant.[12] Una noche's was at the 2012 Berlin International Film Festival.

In the United States, Una noche premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival and went on to win:

References

  1. ^ a b Tara Aquino (29 August 2013). "Interview: "Una Noche" Director Lucy Mulloy Talks Shooting in Cuba, Defecting to America, and Breaking Into the Film Industry". Complex. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 20 December 2015.
  2. ^ a b Lee Hernandez,Cristina Costantini (22 April 2012). "'Una Noche' Actors From Cuba Flee During Film's Tribeca Festival Premiere". Huffington Post. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  3. ^ a b Daniel Eagan (April 27, 2012). "From Summer Blockbusters to Orphan Films". Smithsonian. Archived from the original on 30 April 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  4. ^ a b c John DeFore (27 April 2012). "Critic's Notebook: Films That Debuted Elsewhere Outshone Tribeca Film Festival's World Premieres". Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  5. ^ a b c Steve Dollar (April 26, 2012). "Defectors' Tale Leads Jury Awards". Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  6. ^ a b c AFP (27 April 2012). "Cuba boat people film wins at New York Tribeca festival". The Telegraph. Archived from the original on 23 December 2015. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  7. ^ Bryce J. Renninger (21 February 2012). "An Escape-from-Cuba Saga Six Years in the Works: Lucy Mulloy and Her Cast Talk 'Una Noche' in Berlin". Indiewire. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 17 May 2016.
  8. ^ Justin Chang (6 March 2012). "Review: 'Una noche'". Variety. Archived from the original on 15 November 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2016.
  9. ^ Results of Tribeca Film Festival in Variety Retrieved September, 2010. Archived 2010-05-23 at the Wayback Machine
  10. ^ Tribeca Film Institute Retrieved April, 2012. Archived 2011-07-28 at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Adrienne Shelly Foundation - December 22nd, 2010 Retrieved April, 2012. Archived 2011-10-29 at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ Jason Guerrasio (29 November 2011). ""BEGINNERS" & "THE TREE OF LIFE" SPLIT TOP PRIZE AT GOTHAM AWARDS". Filmmaker Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 18 May 2016.

External links

IFFI Silver Peacock - Special Jury Award and Special Mention
Categories