Piety (film)

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Piety
Theatrical release poster
SpanishLa piedad
Directed byEduardo Casanova
Written byEduardo Casanova
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLuis Ángel Pérez
Edited byÁngel Pazos
Music byPedro Onetto
Production
companies
  • Pokeepsie Films
  • Gente Seria AIE
  • Spal Films
  • Link-up
  • Crudo Films
Distributed byBarton Films
Release dates
  • 3 July 2022 (2022-07-03) (Karlovy Vary)
  • 13 January 2023 (2023-01-13) (Spain)
Running time
80 minutes
Countries
  • Spain
  • Argentina
Languages
  • Spanish
  • Korean
Budget€934,000[1]
Box office€18,600[2]

Piety, also known as La Pietà (Spanish: La piedad)[3] is a 2022 Spanish-Argentine film directed and written by Eduardo Casanova which stars Ángela Molina and Manel Llunell as Libertad and Mateo in a toxic mother-son relationship. It has been variously billed as a drama, "mother-son horror",[4] and black comedy. It displays camp elements.[5]

Plot[edit]

In Spain, teenager Mateo and his mother Libertad live together in a lavish, pink apartment. Mateo is increasingly aware of his mother's overbearing behavior, such as refusing to ever get separated in public, always sleeping together and answering for him when asked questions. After Mateo tries to flee during Libertad's hospital checkup, she purposely injures Mateo's toenail when trimming him back at home. When she is sleeping, Mateo tries to run away, but experiences a severe headache and collapses on the street.

After being rescued by Libertad, Mateo is diagnosed with a malignant glioblastoma, and although brain surgery removes the tumor, he is expected to undergo a physically demanding treatment. To face with Mateo's poor prognosis, they are offered the aid of psychologist Carolina López. During the session, Carolina is frustrated when Libertad repeatedly answers to questions aimed at Mateo. While speaking privately, Libertad reveals that her ex-husband, Roberto, left her when Mateo was still a baby. Carolina replies that Libertad must accept Mateo's desire for independence, despite her fears of abandonment. Still, Libertad secretly welcomes Mateo's radiotherapy and medication, as their side effects make him even more dependent on her. Conversely, she is frustrated when Mateo regains strength after taking a break from therapy, to the point that she attempts to continue drugging him secretly, which Mateo discovers.

Meanwhile, in Pyongyang, high-ranking officer Taeyang has his two daughters executed after the North Korean authorities discover their plans to escape the country. Taeyang manages to flee with his wife Cheong. Some time later, they are living in Seoul and having dinner. Cheong complains that their escape was not worth it, since they are now poor, their daughters are dead, and lack a leader that "cares" about them. Taeyang is enraged by her complaints, and then horrified to learn that she has put the suicide pills he once gave her in their dinner.

Back in Spain, Roberto's current wife Marta informs Libertad that her husband has attempted suicide, as he still has not overcome their breakup. Prying on his mother's phone, Mateo learns that Roberto wants to meet him and is brought to his home by Carolina, unbeknownst to his mother. When finally meeting his badly injured father, Roberto explains that despite Libertad's toxic behavior, they both have come to need her. Marta offers Mateo to stay, but he declines. They learn that Libertad has attempted suicide, and mother and son are reunited in tears at the hospital. Guilt-ridden, Mateo now welcomes Libertad's abuse, such as further injuring his toe nail, allowing mismedication, and being breastfed.

Such actions send Mateo back to the hospital one morning. With overdose and neutropenia, his state is critical and cannot undergo further treatment. Distraught, Libertad visits Roberto and Marta, who are now expecting a child. Marta confesses that she is envious of how people in Libertad's life are so dependent on her. Roberto and Libertad meet, and arrive to the conclusion that their relationship was incompatible as they are both control freaks. At one point, Roberto tells Libertad that Mateo would be better off if she disappeared from his life. Now aiming to help her son, rather than possess him, Libertad shaves her head like Mateo and begins taking his medication, seriously damaging her health.

One evening, Libertad goes earlier to bed while Mateo is finishing dinner. A news report informs that the North Korean leader, Kim Jong-Il, has died. Mateo checks Libertad in her bedroom, only to discover her dead and surrounded with pills. A montage follows of North Koreans and Mateo mourning Libertad as if she were the supreme leader. Mateo finally goes out to the street, but collapses amidst indifferent pedestrians, being unable to face liberty without Libertad.

Cast[edit]

Production[edit]

Ana Belén was the original cast choice for the role of Libertad but she was eventually replaced by Ángela Molina due to the former's stage commitments.[8][9] A Spanish-Argentine co-production, the film was produced by Pokeepsie Films, Gente Seria AIE, Spal Films, Link-up and Crudo Films.[8] Filming began on 27 September 2021.[9] Shooting locations included Madrid and Andalusia.[7] It was shot with dialogue in Spanish and Korean.[10]

Release[edit]

The film premiered at 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival on 3 July 2022,[11] screened as part of the 'Proxima' lineup. It also screened at the 26th Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival (BiFan).[12] It was later selected for the Montreal-based Fantasia International Film Festival.[6] It had its US premiere at the Austin-based Fantastic Fest[13] and also made it to the 55th Sitges Film Festival official selection slate.[14] Distributed by Barton Films,[15] it was theatrically released in Spain on 13 January 2023.[16]

Reception[edit]

According to the review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes, Piety has a 75% approval rating based on 8 reviews from critics, with an average rating of 6.7/10.[17]

Mary Beth McAndrews of Dread Central rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, assessing that Casanova manages to deliver "an upsettingly relevant and inherently queer message about relationships between mother and child".[5]

J. Hurtado of Screen Anarchy wrote that "tragicomic to an extreme perhaps only comparable to the best work of Todd Solondz", the film is "gorgeously vulgar and shocking, a film that draws from many to create something absolutely unique".[18]

Accolades[edit]

Year Award Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
2022 56th Karlovy Vary International Film Festival Proxima Special Jury Prize Won [19]
26th Fantasia International Film Festival Silver Audience Award for Best International Feature Won [20]
17th Fantastic Fest Best Picture (Official Competition) Won [21]
2023 10th Feroz Awards Arrebato Award (Fiction) Won [22]
30th Festival international du film fantastique de Gérardmer Grand Prize Won [23]
Young Jury Prize Won
Public Prize Won
2nd Carmen Awards Best Actress Ángela Molina Nominated [24][25]
37th Goya Awards Best Art Direction Melanie Antón Nominated [26]
Best Costume Design Suevia Sampelayo Nominated
Best Makeup and Hairstyles Sarai Rodríguez, Raquel González, Óscar del Monte Nominated

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "AYUDAS A LA CINEMATOGRAFÍA 2019" (PDF) (in European Spanish). Gobierno de España. Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Cine español en cartelera: 10 - 12 febrero" (PDF) (in European Spanish). Gobierno de España. Ministerio de Cultura y Deporte. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  3. ^ Stojiljković, Marko (7 July 2022). "Review: Piety". Cineuropa.
  4. ^ Kay, Jeremy (27 September 2022). "'La Pieta', Ali Abbasi director triumph at Fantastic Fest awards". ScreenDaily.
  5. ^ a b McAndrews, Mary Beth (26 July 2022). "Disturbing New Horror Film 'La Pieta' Tackles Incest, Dying, and Terrible Mothers [Fantasia 2022 Review]". Dread Central.
  6. ^ a b c Jones, Holly (18 July 2022). "'La Piedad,' A Terrifying Take On Attachment, Heads To Fantasia". Variety.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Silvestre, Juan (11 July 2022). "'La piedad': primer y brutal teaser tráiler, en exclusiva, de la película de Eduardo Casanova". Fotogramas.
  8. ^ a b Boquerini (13 October 2021). "Eduardo Casanova explora la relación tóxica entre una madre y su hijo en 'La piedad'". El Correo.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ a b Chaneta, Rosa (27 September 2021). "Eduardo Casanova sustituye a Ana Belén por Ángela Molina en 'La piedad', que empieza su rodaje". ecartelera.
  10. ^ "La piedad". festivalcinesevilla.eu. Retrieved 11 February 2023.
  11. ^ Martínez, Beatriz (12 July 2022). "Eduardo Casanova: "Ganar en Karlovy Vary ha sido como un abrazo después de exorcizar mis demonios"". El Periódico de España.
  12. ^ ""La piedad", oscuro cuento familiar con tintes norcoreanos, asombra en BIFAN". swissinfo.ch. 13 July 2022.
  13. ^ Zilko, Christian (16 August 2022). "Fantastic Fest Headlined by 'Bones and All,' 'Triangle of Sadness,' and a Park Chan-wook Tribute". IndieWire. Retrieved 17 August 2022.
  14. ^ Silvestre, Juan (14 September 2022). "'La piedad': cartel, en exclusiva, de la película de Eduardo Casanova". Fotogramas.
  15. ^ Sánchez Sequera, Marcos (11 January 2023). "'La piedad' – estreno en cines 13 de enero". Audiovisual451.
  16. ^ Méndez Chico-Álvarez, Lucas (21 November 2022). "Eduardo Casanova: "Hay mucha pereza en la idea del artista que vive en crisis"". El Independiente.
  17. ^ "La Pietà". RottenTomatoes. Retrieved 9 April 2023.
  18. ^ Hurtado, J. (22 July 2022). "Fantasia 2022 Review: LA PIETÀ, A Stunningly Vulgar Triumph In Puke Pink Pastels". Screen Anarchy.
  19. ^ Tizard, Will (9 July 2022). "Iran-Set Teen Drama 'Summer With Hope' Wins Crystal Globe at Karlovy Vary Film Festival". Variety.
  20. ^ Calnan, Ellie (5 August 2022). "'The Roundup', 'The Artifice Girl' take top Fantasia audience awards". ScreenDaily.
  21. ^ Taylor, Drew (27 September 2022). "Fantastic Fest Awards Winners: 'Piggy,' 'The Five Devils' and 'The Menu' Take Top Honors (Exclusive)". TheWrap.
  22. ^ Gualda, Lucía (29 January 2023). "Premios Feroz, en directo: los premiados a mejor película, mejor serie y mejor actriz y actor protagonistas". Vanitatis – via El Confidencial.
  23. ^ Vié, Caroline (29 January 2023). "Festival de Gérardmer : Grand vainqueur de cette 30e édition, « La Pietà » ouvre une nouvelle ère". 20minutes.fr.
  24. ^ Martínez, Evaristo (14 December 2022). "'Controverso' opta a dos Carmen, que anuncian sus candidatos desde Almería". La Voz de Almería.
  25. ^ "Modelo 77 triunfa en los Carmen: Así ha quedado el palmarés". Ideal. Grupo Vocento. 5 February 2023.
  26. ^ "Estos son los ganadores de los Premios Goya 2023: lista completa". El Periódico de Catalunya. 12 February 2023.
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