nmay not seem like a deep motion picture , but it is a superimposed role study that explore the ego behind the creative person , as well as the indie filmmaking panorama . Written and directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat ( alongside carbon monoxide - writer Andrés Duprat),Official Competitionis a caustic remark that effectively employs dark comedy and absurdism to tell its story . Bolstered by an unbelievable stamp , the film volunteer commentary on filmmaking as an art and the lengths the characters will go to outshine each other .

Millionaire businessman Humberto Suárez ( José Luis Gómez ) does n’t cogitate he will be remembered at all after he dies . alternatively of simply starting a innovation , he decide to put a more lasting revenue stamp on something by fund a movie adjustment of a record book called Rivalry . He rent writer - director Lola Cuevas ( Penélope Cruz ) , who take together two well - known actors — openly beloved Félix Rivero ( Antonio Banderas ) and erstwhile - school day role player - turned - professor Iván Torres ( Oscar Martínez ) . Félix and Iván have never worked together before and their egos , as well as their contrast acting methods , cause them to march heads quite often , prepare rehearsal for the picture quite hard .

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Official Competitionis openly funny and also drear . There are plenty of laugh to be had as Félix and Iván attempt to out - behave each other by offer false compliments enfold in solemn carrying into action . They ’re intensely competitive , which turns every action and conversation into a spectacle . While Félix is more obviously self-loving , Iván exhibit off his self - centeredness by constantly mentioning how humble he is ( he even refuses to fly first - class and mockery at those who do as he passes by ) . Lola must stick out them both for the film , about two brothers who are competition , but it does n’t mean she does n’t have an ego of her own ( though she ’s a bit more run aground ) and a mellow opinion of her graphics and methods . The triplet ’s dynamic is the core of the film and watching them take with each other is a delight . This is , of class , helped by the casting ’s chemistry and talent , each bringing something unequaled and inherent to their graphic symbol — be it a moment of still emotion , a long - suffering stare , or an air of smugness .

Cohn and Duprat make clever use of mirrors to convey how the actors see themselves , each other , and the audience ’s sensing of them . The characters are isolated for the majority of the motion picture , forced to interact with each other in a individual blank space away from the insomniac eye of the public . And yet , their personality and self - involvement emerge in their treatment of one another and their staff . To that end , Official Competitionbecomes a thoughtful , scathingcharacter studyof performers who can not see beyond themselves , concerned only with who is better in a profession that requires them to work together , and to make distance for one another . The satire also provide fairly harsh commentary on the state of art - mansion filmmaking , with Humberto ’s money pouring into a labor that seems less like a work of artistic creation and more like an experimentation gone cockeyed .

There are a mass of film about the fine art of filmmaking , most of which get caught up in the glitz and self of the diligence , with a lot of dab - on - the - back minute that ring false and hollow . However , Official Competitionis far more undercoat , examining the individuals in front of and behind the camera without hiding or sugarcoat anything . The film is absolutely cockeyed , but it ’s able to disrobe back the layers of each character reference as they work in an inner setting to reveal what ’s really behind their noted personas . The consequence is a tarradiddle that works on so many level , unafraid to get personal and ridiculous , funny and dreary .

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Official Competitionhad its U.S. premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival on June 14 , 2022 . The photographic film opens in theaters June 17 . It is 114 instant long and is rated R for language and some nakedness .

Official Competition is a satiric clowning directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat . The film concentrate on a wealthy man of affairs who decides to finance a high - visibility aesthetic movie . It have Penélope Cruz as a notoriously involve film director , while Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martínez play the rivaling lead thespian . As their egos clash , the production evolve into a humourous commentary on the complexities and absurdities of the filmmaking process .

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official competition review

official competition review

Antonio Banderas, Penélope Cruz, and Oscar Martínez in Official Competition

official competition review

Oscar Martínez, Penélope Cruz, and Antonio Banderas in Official Competition

Official Competition - Poster - Penelope cruz,  Antonio Banderas & oscar martinez

Official Competition is a satirical comedy directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat. The film centers on a wealthy businessman who decides to finance a high-profile artistic movie. It features Penélope Cruz as a notoriously demanding director, while Antonio Banderas and Oscar Martínez play the rivaling lead actors. As their egos clash, the production evolves into a humorous commentary on the complexities and absurdities of the filmmaking process.