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Writer/director Fernando Leon de Aranoa brings us this look at life in Spain. He bases his script on the true story of 90 laid off shipyard workers in the Spanish city of Vigo. Aranoa also gives the movie authenticity by filming on location in Vigo.

The film follows the lives of a group of six friends that were all laid off when the shipyard where they work was sold. We find these former colleagues three years later, still trying to get into the workforce and find a reason for their lives.

They are led by Carlos “Santa” Santamaria (Javier Barden), the womanizer of the group. He is completely loyal to all his friends and all the former employees of the shipyard, even those who signed for severance packages instead of protesting the mass layoff. The group has been downtrodden and miserable for a long time, but they still haven’t given up hope of putting their lives back on the right track.

This film was Spain’s choice for its entry into the 2003 Academy Awards Foreign Language Film category. It seems as though the nominating committee knew what they were talking about. This film did extremely well at Spain’s version of the Oscars by sweeping many categories. (Marty Doskins/BOP)

Vital statistics for Mondays in the Sun Main Cast Javier Bardem, Luis Tosar, Nieve de Medina Supporting Cast Jose Angel Egido, Enrique Villen Director Fernando Leon de Aranoa Screenwriter Fernando Leon de Aranoa, Ignacio del Moral Distributor Lions Gate Trailer Click Here for Trailer Official Site http://www.mondaysinthesun.com Rating R Running Time 113 minutes Screen Count 7 Awards 2003 Goya Awards – Best Film, Best Director, Best Lead Actor (Javier Bardem), Best New Actor (Jose Angel Egido), Best Supporting Actor (Luis Tosar) 2003 San Sebastian International Film Festival – CEC Award for Best Film, FIPRESCI Award, Golden Seashell, SIGNIS Award Awards page for Mondays in the Sun Talent in red has entry in The Big Picture