29/09/2014 - David Trueba, who received the honour in 2003 with Soldiers of Salamina, will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his brother Fernando, winner of the prized trophy in 1993 with Belle Epoque

The Spanish Film Academy last week announced its decision to select Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile], by David Trueba, as the Spanish nominee for the category Best Foreign Lanaguage Film at the Oscars. The Academy thus confirms its preference for this bittersweet comedy, which in its latest edition of prizes, the Goyas, awarded in February, received the two main awards: best film and direction.

This won’t be David Trueba’s first time to represent Spain in the battle for the prized trophy (he already did so in 2003 with Soldiers of Salamina). This time he will attempt to follow in the footsteps of his brother, director Fernando Trueba, Oscar-winner in 1993 with Belle Epoque. 

Thus the Academy has chosen a more European and Auteur-type film, ahead of two distinct candidates that were the thriller about international trafficking and smuggling El niño [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Daniel Monzón
film profile], by Daniel Monzón, and an independent first work entitled Long Distance [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Carlos Marques-Marcet
film profile], by Carlos Marqués-Marcet, made with in both Spain and the US.

The screenplay of Living Is Easy With Eyes Closed, created by the director himself, narrates the story of Antonio (Javier Cámara), a teacher who uses Beatles’ songs to teach English in 1966 Spain. When he finds out that John Lennon is in Almería shooting a movie, he travels there to meet him. Along the way he picks up two youths, Juanjo (Francesc Colomer) and Belén (Natalia De Molina), who appear to be running from something.

(Translated from Spanish)