Blind Sunflowers picks up 15 Goya nominations

by Vitor Pinto

19/12/2008 - The Blind Sunflowers, Jose Luis Cuerda’s film adaptation of the Alberto Méndez novel, has received 15 nominations for the 23rd Goya Awards, the Academy of Arts and Cinematic Sciences of Spain announced this morning. Spain's Oscar entry (see news) will also compete in the main categories – including Best Film, Director, Actor (Raúl Arévalo) and Actress (Maribel Verdú).

The other nominees for Best Film are Agustín Díaz Yanes's Sólo quiero caminar [trailer] (11 nominations), Javier Fesser's Camino [trailer] (seven) and Álex de la Iglesia's The Oxford Murders [trailer, film focus] (six). The three directors have all also picked up Best Director nominations.

Pénelope Cruz, nominated for a Golden Globe for her exhilarating performance in Vicky Cristina Barcelona [trailer], is also competing for a Goya in the Best Supporting Actress category. This is the only nomination for Woody Allen's latest film, which was produced by Barcelona-based company MediaPro.

The Goya ceremony will take place in Madrid in February 1, 2009.