Official Competition

About Official Competition

Official Competition is a 2021 Spanish-Argentine dark comedy film. The storyline explores a wealthy businessman who attempts to create a cinematic masterpiece by hiring a renowned filmmaker and demanding that two colossal actors share the limelight. In a bid to make the best movie ever, cinematic titans are led to a performance showdown.

Making / Production

The film is directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat, and it is produced by Jaume Roures. It involves rich insights into the convoluted workings of artistic creation, also serves as a satire on the business of filmmaking.

Actors

• Antonio Banderas - The actor plays the role of Félix Rivero, a prestigious, award-winning actor. He thoroughly plays the part of a serious actor who gets frustrated with the dilemmas the production poses.
• Penélope Cruz - She portrays Lola Cuevas, another highly acclaimed actor in the movie. The actress beautifully portrays the struggle of maintaining her dignity and professional integrity whilst dealing with the absurdities of the film production.
• Oscar Martínez - Portrays Iván Torres, a renowned filmmaker who becomes an unwilling part of the eccentric businessman's big plan.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• This film marks the third collaboration between Banderas and Cruz, following their previous team-ups in Pedro Almodóvar's films.
• Despite the film's satirical undertones, it offers an intentional homage to the palpable tension between actors on set.
• The billionaire businessman's motive to create a cinematic masterpiece deliberately portrays the problematic aspect of art commodification.

Music, Soundtrack

• The film doesn't rely heavily on music but incorporates it subtly to heighten the comedic and dramatic scenes.