Have you checked the baby?|Dec. 16, 2022|Canada|86 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Horror
Description: “Lullaby” (originally titled “Cinco lobitos,” meaning “Five Wolf Cubs”) is a 2022 Spanish drama film written and directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa. Starring Laia Costa, Susi Sánchez, Ramón Barea, and Mikel Bustamante, the movie was developed through ECAM’s incubator program. It was co-produced by Encanta Films, Sayaka Producciones, and BuenaPinta Media, with support from RTVE, EiTB, and Orange, and funding from ICAA, the Basque Government, the Madrid regional administration, and Crea SGR.
Filming took place over five weeks in Madrid and Biscay, featuring dialogue in Spanish, Basque, and English. The story is a deeply emotional exploration of a mother-daughter relationship set against the backdrop of the Basque coast.
Critics have praised the film for its subtle and compassionate portrayal of its female characters. It holds a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 8.3/10. Jonathan Holland of ScreenDaily described it as an absorbing drama, while Pere Vall of Fotogramas emphasized its nuanced storytelling, giving it 4 out of 5 stars. Irene Crespo of Cinemanía also awarded it 4 stars, calling it a brilliant and emotional debut that transcends themes of motherhood.
Renowned filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar hailed “Lullaby” as the best debut in Spanish cinema in years, highlighting its truthful and humorous depiction of women’s roles within families and applauding Laia Costa’s performance.
In August 2022, the film was shortlisted by the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain as a potential submission for the 95th Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category, alongside “Alcarràs” and “The Beasts.”
Cast director: John R. Leonetti
Cast actor: Oona Chaplin, Ramón Rodríguez, Liane Balaban, Moni Ogunsuyi, Austin Ball, Brian McCaig, Kira Guloien, Adam Bernett, Hayden Finkelshtain, Mark Reinhardt
Original name: Lullaby