2016
a film by Alberto Rodríguez
Smoke and Mirrors is the story of the man who tricked an entire country.
Francisco Paesa has been a businessman, a banker in Switzerland, an international arms trafficker, a gigolo, a playboy, a diplomat, an adventurer, a con man and a secret agent: in other words, a spy.
Paesa is betrayed by his country and is forced to flee it. When he returns after a few years, everything has changed: he is broke, he cannot lift any businesses off the ground – due to his fame as a conman – and his relationship with Gloria, his partner for the last fifteen years, is standing on its last leg.
It is in these circumstances that Luis Roldán and his wife, who offer him a million dollars to help them save 15 billion pesetas that were removed from public coffers, visit him. This is an ideal opportunity for Paesa to get revenge and improve his economic situation by betraying his client.
With the help of Jesús Camoes, his inseparable partner, he will orchestrate an intricate, masterful operation where the lines between truth and falsehood blur. A farce worthy of the best spies. A reflection of an era’s twilight.
Cast
Eduard Fernández, Jose Coronado, Marta Etura, Carlos Santos, Enric Benavent, Alba Galocha, Philippe Rebbot, Pedro Casablanc, Israel Elejalde, Tomás del Estal, Jöns Pappila, Luis Callejo, Mireia Portas and Craig Stevenson
Director
Alberto Rodríguez
Producers
Francisco Ramos, Gervasio Iglesias, Mercedes Gamero and Gabriel Arias Salgado
Executive producer
José Antonio Félez
Line producer
Manuela Ocón
Screenplay
Rafael Cobos López y Alberto Rodríguez - Based on the book by Manuel Cerdán Alenda
DoP
Alex Catalán (A.E.C.)
Art director
Pepe Domínguez del Olmo
Music
Julio de la Rosa
Editing
José M. G. Moyano
Sound recording
Daniel de Zayas
Sound editing
César Molina
Sound consultant
Pelayo Gutiérrez
Sound mixer
José Antonio Manovel
Costume designer
Fernando García
Make up and hair
Yolanda Piña
Digital Effects
Juan Ventura
Casting
Eva Leira y Yolanda Serrano
Assistant director
Adán Barajas
Stills
Julio Vergne
GOYA AWARDS (2017)
Best Adapted Screenplay
Alberto Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos
Best Breakthrough Performance
Carlos Santos
CINEMA WRITERS CIRCLE AWARDS (2017)
Best Director
Alberto Rodríguez
Best Actor
Eduard Fernández
Best Breakthrough Performance
Carlos Santos
Best Adapted Screenplay
Alberto Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos
SAN SEBASTIÁN INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL (2016)
Silver Seashell for Best Actor
Eduard Fernández
Feroz Zinemaldia Award
Best Film
GAUDÍ AWARDS (2017)
Best Actor
Eduard Fernández