About El Planeta

"El Planeta" is a Spanish film released in 2021. The movie revolves around a mother and daughter who resort to petty crime to survive during an economic crisis. The film is a stark yet humorous commentary on the struggle of working-class people and the effects of global economic depression. It meticulously encapsulates social realism while mixing absurdity into the narrative.

Making / Production

"El Planeta" is a crowdfunded project shot in black and while on location in Gijón, Spain. Amalia Ulman, an established conceptual artist, is the director and writer of the movie. The film's making exhibits Ulman's multifaceted talent as she also played the lead and did the costuming for the film.

Actors

• Amalia Ulman portrays the character of Leonor, the daughter. She played her role with understated wit and hard-hitting realism, exploring the trials and trivium of a young woman in crisis.
• Ale Ulman features as the mother in the movie. She adds an ironic twist to her character with an endearing approach to her precarious circumstances.
• Zhou Chen acts as the landlord in the film. His character punctuates the film with sarcastic observations and provides a counterpoint to the characters of the mother and daughter.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film marks Amalia Ulman's directorial debut.
• El Planeta is a semi-autobiographical film, influenced by Ulman's experiences during the 2008 economic crisis.
• The costumes used in the film were all designed by Amalia Ulman.

Quotes

• "We're not poor, we're broke."
• "Happiness is based on comfort."
• "In this world of wolves, I am a cat."

Music, Soundtrack

The movie "El Planeta" features a minimalist soundtrack that successfully enhances the bleak yet humorous narrative of the story. The tracks are a mix of atmospheric and acoustic sounds, aligning perfectly with the visual appeal of the film.

• "The Mood" - a track that lays down an intricately melancholic atmosphere
• "Crisis Theme" - a music piece that resonates the overarching theme of the movie