| Jokes & Cigarettes | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Catalan | Saben aquell |
| Directed by | David Trueba |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Based on | Eugenio and Saben aquell que diu by Gerard Jofra |
| Produced by |
|
| Starring | |
| Cinematography | Sergi Vilanova |
| Edited by | Marta Velasco |
| Music by | Andrea Motis |
Production companies |
|
| Distributed by | Warner Bros. Pictures |
Release date |
|
| Country | Spain |
| Languages |
|
| Box office | €0.94 million[1] |
Jokes & Cigarettes (Catalan: Saben aquell)[2] is a 2023 Spanish biographical drama film directed by David Trueba from a screenplay by Trueba and Albert Espinosa which stars David Verdaguer as comedian Eugenio alongside Carolina Yuste.[3][4] It features Catalan- and Spanish-language dialogue.
Plot[edit]
Set from 1967 to 1980, the plot follows the onstage beginnings of Eugenio Jofra, a jeweller from Barcelona, as well as his relationship with love interest Conchita, whom he begins to perform in a musical duo, 'Els Dos'. Eugenio ends up improvising solo stand-up comedy shows upon Conchita's sudden absence.[5][6][3][7]
Cast[edit]
- David Verdaguer as Eugenio[3]
- Carolina Yuste as Conchita[3]
- Pedro Casablanc as Vicente[8]
- Marina Salas as Mari Carmen[8]
- Ramon Fontserè as Amadeu[9]
- Cristina Hoyos as Conchita's mother[9]
- Boris Ruiz as Eugenio's father[9]
- Matilde Muñiz as Eugenio's mother[8]
Cameo roles include Lara Dibildos as her mother Laura Valenzuela, Paco Plaza as Chicho Ibáñez Serrador, and Pedro Ruiz as himself.[10]
Production[edit]
The screenplay was penned by Albert Espinosa based on the books Eugenio and Saben aquell que diu by Gerard Jofra, Eugenio's son. The film is an Ikiru Films, Atresmedia Cine and La Terraza Films production, and it had the participation of Atresmedia, Movistar+, and HBO Max and backing from ICEC and TVC.[6] Trueba advised Verdaguer not to obsess about impersonating Eugenio, telling Verdaguer that he was not [popular impersonator] Carlos Latre, but primarily about getting the hang of [Eugenio's] energy.[11] Verdaguer used nonetheless a prosthetic nose and a prosthetic ass.[12] Carolina Yuste worked for three months with a diction coach to improve her Catalan-language skills.[13] Shooting locations included Barcelona.[14] The film was lensed by Sergi Vilanova and featured the music of Andrea Motis.[15]
Release[edit]
The film was released theatrically in Spain by Warner Bros. Pictures on 1 November 2023.[3][16]
Reception[edit]
According to the American review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, Jokes & Cigarettes has a 100% approval rating based on 5 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 7.3/10.[17]
Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 85 points ('very good'), highlighting the screenplay, the setting, and a "masterful" Carolina Yuste.[10]
J. Picatoste Verdejo of Mondo Sonoro rated the film with 7 out of 10 points, describing it as "a film far from sensationalism, warm and romantic".[18]
Blai Morell of Fotogramas rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, highlighting the Verdaguer/Yuste duo as the best thing about the film.[7]
Rubén Romero Santos of Cinemanía rated the film 3½ out of 5 stars, predicting Verdaguer as the foregone Goya Award winner for his performance in his verdict.[19]
Top ten lists[edit]
The film appeared on a number of critics' top ten lists of the best Spanish films of 2023:
- 3rd — El Español (Series & Más consensus)[20]
- 4th — Mondosonoro (consensus)[21]
- 9th — El Periódico de Catalunya (critics)[22]
Accolades[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2023 |
29th Forqué Awards | Best Actor in a Film | David Verdaguer | Won | |
2024 |
11th Feroz Awards | Best Actor in a Film | David Verdaguer | Won | [24] |
| Best Actress in a Film | Carolina Yuste | Nominated | |||
| Best Trailer | Miguel Ángel Sanantonio | Nominated | |||
| 16th Gaudí Awards | Best Film | Nominated | [25] | ||
| Best Director | David Trueba | Nominated | |||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | David Trueba, Albert Espinosa | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | David Verdaguer | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Carolina Yuste | Won | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Pedro Casablanc | Nominated | |||
| Best Original Score | Andrea Motis | Nominated | |||
| Best Art Direction | Marc Pou | Won | |||
| Best Production Supervision | Eduard Vallés | Won | |||
| Best Costume Design | Lala Huete | Won | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Caitlin Acheson, Nacho Días, Benjamín Pérez | Won | |||
| Best Visual Effects | Wesley Barnard, Míriam Piquer | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Xavi Mas, Eduardo Castro, Yasmina Praderas | Won | |||
| 79th CEC Medals | Best Film | Nominated | [26][27] | ||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | Albert Espinosa, David Trueba | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | David Verdaguer | Won | |||
| Best Actress | Carolina Yuste | Nominated | |||
| Best Supporting Actor | Pedro Casablanc | Nominated | |||
| Best Cinematography | Sergi Vilanova Claudín | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing | Marta Velasco | Nominated | |||
| 38th Goya Awards | Best Film | Nominated | [28] | ||
| Best Director | David Trueba | Nominated | |||
| Best Adapted Screenplay | David Trueba, Albert Espinosa | Nominated | |||
| Best Actress | Carolina Yuste | Nominated | |||
| Best Actor | David Verdaguer | Won | |||
| Best Original Score | Andrea Motis | Nominated | |||
| Best Sound | Xavi Mas, Eduardo Castro, Yasmina Praderas | Nominated | |||
| Best Art Direction | Marc Pou | Nominated | |||
| Best Production Supervision | Eduard Vallès | Nominated | |||
| Best Costume Design | Lala Huete | Nominated | |||
| Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Caitlin Acheson, Benjamín Pérez, Nacho Díaz | Nominated | |||
| 32nd Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actor in a Leading Role | David Verdaguer | Won | [29][30] | |
| Best Film Actress in a Leading Role | Carolina Yuste | Nominated | |||
| 11th Platino Awards | Best Actor | David Verdaguer | Nominated | ||
| Best Actress | Carolina Yuste | Nominated | |||
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ "Cine español: 8 - 10 marzo 2024" (PDF). Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. 10 March 2024. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
- ^ Hopewell, John (11 October 2023). "'Living Is Easy' Director David Trueba's 'Jokes & Cigarettes,' About a Sad Comic Genius, Pounced on by Film Factory (Exclusive)". Variety.
- ^ a b c d e Mullor, Mireia (4 May 2023). "La espectacular transformación de David Verdaguer en el humorista Eugenio para la nueva película de David Trueba". Fotogramas.
- ^ "David Verdaguer es Eugenio en 'Saben aquell', escrita y dirigida por David Trueba, que se estrena el 1 de noviembre". Cineconn.
- ^ Mayor Ortega, Leonor (26 May 2023). ""Saben aquell que diu..."". La Vanguardia.
- ^ a b "Saben aquell". Academia de las Artes y las Ciencias Cinematográficas de España. 4 May 2023.
- ^ a b Morell, Blai (31 October 2023). "Crítica de 'Saben aquell', la película sobre el humorista Eugenio con un monumental David Verdaguer aspirando al Goya". Fotogramas.
- ^ a b c ""Saben aquell", la coproducció de 3Cat dirigida per David Trueba i interpretada per David Verdaguer, arriba als cinemes". Corporació Catalana de Mitjans Audiovisuals. 20 October 2023.
- ^ a b c Úbeda-Portugués, Alberto (31 October 2023). "Los estrenos del 1 de noviembre. 'Saben aquell'. La seriedad del chiste". Aisge.
- ^ a b Hernández Luján, Raquel (30 October 2023). "Crítica de Saben aquell, la película de David Trueba en la que se narra cómo llegó a la fama el humorista Eugenio". HobbyConsolas.
- ^ Romero, J; Blanes, P. (30 October 2023). "David Trueba, David Verdaguer y la triste historia detrás del cómico que revolucionó el humor en la Transición". Cadena SER.
- ^ Dios, Marisa de (31 October 2023). "David Trueba y David Verdaguer: "Eugenio iba a la contra porque los catalanes no eran los graciosos"". El Periódico de Catalunya. Prensa Ibérica.
- ^ Polls, Noemí (29 October 2023). "Babeth Ripoll, la professora que ha ensenyat català a Carolina Yuste: "El parla millor que molts catalans"". RAC1.
- ^ "David Trueba rueda en Barcelona la película 'Saben aquell' sobre los inicios del humorista Eugenio". Europa Press. 5 May 2023.
- ^ "Comienza el rodaje de 'Saben aquell', el biopic de Eugenio dirigido por David Trueba". Camera & Light Mag. 5 May 2023.
- ^ "'Saben aquell': el biopic del humorista Eugenio con David Verdaguer lanza un tráiler perfecto". Cinemanía – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ "Jokes & Cigarettes". RottenTomatoes. Retrieved 8 November 2023.
- ^ Picatoste Verdejo, J. (28 October 2023). "Saben aquell". Mondosonoro.
- ^ Romero Santos, Rubén (31 October 2023). "Crítica de 'Saben aquell': retrato del artista renuente". Cinemanía.
- ^ Prieto, Belén; Morillo, Valentina (24 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023". Series & Más – via El Español.
- ^ "Las mejores películas nacionales de 2023". Mondosonoro. 26 December 2023.
- ^ Casas, Quim (22 December 2023). "Las 10 mejores películas españolas de 2023". El Periódico de Catalunya. Prensa Ibérica.
- ^ Ramón, Esteban (17 December 2023). "Premios Forqué 2023: '20.000 especies de abejas' gana mejor película y 'La mesías' arrasa en series". rtve.es.
- ^ Álvarez Patilla, Diego (27 January 2024). "» Cultura Premios Feroz 2024: '20.000 especies de abejas', 'Robot Dreams' y 'La Mesías' dominan la lista de ganadores". rtve.es.
- ^ Oteo, Jana (5 February 2024). "Premios Gaudí 2024: Lista completa de los ganadores". La Razón.
- ^ "Candidaturas de los Premios del Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos, Medallas CEC". Decine21. 28 December 2023.
- ^ "Las Medallas del CEC se acuerdan de 'Cerrar los ojos' en la gran noche de 'La sociedad de la nieve'". Cine con Ñ. 6 February 2024.
- ^ "Premios Goya 2024 | Palmarés completo: todos los ganadores de la gran noche de 'La sociedad de la nieve'". Cinemanía. 11 February 2024 – via 20minutos.es.
- ^ "Todos los nominados de la 32 edición de los Premios Unión de Actores y Actrices de España". Escribiendo Cine. 4 February 2024.
- ^ "Malena Alterio, Maribel Verdú, Lola Dueñas y Quim Gutiérrez, entre los protagonistas de los 32 Premios UA". Europa Press. 12 March 2024.
- ^ "Premios Platino 2024 | Palmarés completo: el triunfo de 'La sociedad de la nieve' y todos los ganadores de la noche". Cinemanía. 21 April 2024 – via 20minutos.es.
