Dir. Mariano Cohn, Gastón Duprat
2021 | 114 mins | Spain, Argentina
Spanish with English subtitles
Penélope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Oscar Martínez, José Luis Gómez, Irene Escolar

SHOWING TIMES:

• Fri 2 Sep: 10.45am + Lunch Deal
• Fri 2 Sep: 8pm
• Sat 3 Sep: 3pm
• Sat 3 Sep: 8pm
• Sun 4 Sep: 4.15pm
• Mon 5 Sep: 2pm
• Mon 5 Sep: 8pm
• Tue 6 Sep: 8pm
• Wed 7 Sep: 2pm
• Wed 7 Sep: 5.20pm
• Thu 8 Sep: 2pm
• Thu 8 Sep: 8pm

Antonio Banderas (Pain and Glory) and Penélope Cruz (Parallel Mothers) unite with Oscar Martínez (The Distinguished Citizen) in this bitingly funny behind-the-scenes satire of filmmaking from Argentine writer-directors Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat.

Independent cinema darling and Cannes Palme d’Or-winning filmmaker Lola Cuevas (Cruz) is approached by ageing, ailing business mogul Humberto Suárez (José Luis Gómez) to make a film that he hopes will be his legacy for the world. Intended as an adaptation of a much-loved literary work, Cuevas has more experimental intentions than some turgid piece of heritage cinema. Given carte blanche over the casting – Suárez’s only condition was that she choose ‘the best’ – she pits acclaimed but stiflingly snobbish ‘Actor’ Ivan Torres (Martínez) against handsome but superficial screen icon Felix Rivero (Banderas), believing that the inevitable tension between the two can only help the film’s dynamic. She couldn’t be more right, as the three gather for a nine-day rehearsal that sees each pushed to their wits’ end and underpins Cuevas’ belief that art is suffering.

Awash in egomania and deliciously absurd hijinks, Official Competition is a playful yet sharp comedy skewering wealth, art, and pride.

LUNCH AND FILM DEAL
£19.50

Take advantage of our lunch deal after the screening on Fri 2 Sep!

Your ticket includes the film, a freshly prepared lunch and anything from our soft drink selections.

VENUE: EXETER PHOENIX, STUDIO 74

*Subject to a £1.50 ticketing system charge. We don’t charge this to make a profit. Find out more >>