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IMDbPro

El embrujo de Shanghai

  • 20022002
  • 1h 59m
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
513
YOUR RATING
Ariadna Gil in El embrujo de Shanghai (2002)
Watch ’Tráiler [OV]’
Play trailer2:46
1 Video
1 Photo
  • Drama
  • Mystery
Barcelona, 1948: An old man living with 14 y.o. Dani and his mom, arranges for Dani to draw the cute 15 y.o. Susana, bedridden with TB. Her dad's friend visits Susana and her sexy mom and te... Read allBarcelona, 1948: An old man living with 14 y.o. Dani and his mom, arranges for Dani to draw the cute 15 y.o. Susana, bedridden with TB. Her dad's friend visits Susana and her sexy mom and tells about her dad and Shanghai.Barcelona, 1948: An old man living with 14 y.o. Dani and his mom, arranges for Dani to draw the cute 15 y.o. Susana, bedridden with TB. Her dad's friend visits Susana and her sexy mom and tells about her dad and Shanghai.
IMDb RATING
5.6/10
513
YOUR RATING
  • Director
    • Fernando Trueba
  • Writers
    • Juan Marsé(novel)
    • Fernando Trueba
  • Stars
    • Fernando Tielve
    • Aida Folch
    • Ariadna Gil
Top credits
  • Director
    • Fernando Trueba
  • Writers
    • Juan Marsé(novel)
    • Fernando Trueba
  • Stars
    • Fernando Tielve
    • Aida Folch
    • Ariadna Gil
  • See production, box office & company info
    • 6User reviews
    • 5Critic reviews
  • See more at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 3 wins & 4 nominations

    Videos1

    Tráiler [OV]
    Trailer 2:46
    Tráiler [OV]

    Photos

    Add photo

    Top cast

    Edit
    Fernando Tielve
    Fernando Tielve
    • Danias Dani
    Aida Folch
    Aida Folch
    • Susanaas Susana
    Ariadna Gil
    Ariadna Gil
    • Anitaas Anita…
    Fernando Fernán Gómez
    Fernando Fernán Gómez
    • Capitán Blayas Capitán Blay
    • (as Fernando Fernán-Gómez)
    Eduard Fernández
    Eduard Fernández
    • Forcatas Forcat
    Antonio Resines
    Antonio Resines
    • Kimas Kim
    Rosa Maria Sardà
    Rosa Maria Sardà
    • Betibúas Betibú
    • (as Rosa María Sardá)
    Jorge Sanz
    Jorge Sanz
    • Denisas Denis
    Juan José Ballesta
    Juan José Ballesta
    • Finito Chacónas Finito Chacón
    • (as Juanjo Ballesta)
    Cristina Dilla
    • Madre Danias Madre Dani
    Joan Borràs
    Joan Borràs
    • Dr. Barjauas Dr. Barjau
    • (as Joan Borrás)
    Götz Otto
    Götz Otto
    • Omaras Omar
    Féodor Atkine
    Féodor Atkine
    • Michel Levyas Michel Levy
    • (as Feodor Atkine)
    Antonio Dechent
    Antonio Dechent
    • Capatazas Capataz
    Philippe Beglia
    • Lambertas Lambert
    Bebo Valdés
    Bebo Valdés
    • Pianistaas Pianista
    Sarllya
    • Cantanteas Cantante
    Pep Cortés
    Pep Cortés
    • Taberneroas Tabernero
    • Director
      • Fernando Trueba
    • Writers
      • Juan Marsé(novel)
      • Fernando Trueba
    • All cast & crew
    • See more cast details at IMDbPro

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Was originally a Victor Erice project, but differences between him and producer Andrés Vicente Gómez ended up with his refusal to make the movie.
    • Connections
      Features San nu xing (1947)
    • Soundtracks
      Bésame mucho
      Written by Consuelo Velázquez

    User reviews6

    Review
    Top review
    8/10
    An excellent cast gives us a satisfying period-piece story
    Starting out from a novel by Juan Marsé, Catalonian novelist enjoying a certain popularity in Spain, Fernando Trueba has carried out a magnificent transposition for the screen, being responsible both for the dialogues and of course the directing of `El Embrujo de Shanghai'. Having already been responsible for films which have made their mark - `Belle Époque', `Two Much', `La Niña de Tus Ojos' (qv) and `Calle 54' (qv), being the most representative - it was to be expected, or at least hoped, that `El Embrujo de Shanghai' would continue the trend. Especially as the cast could hardly be better.

    You will not be disappointed: with the new generation of Spanish directors producing some good work in the last twenty years or so, we can consider Trueba as one of those heading the list. He has a good eye and a steady hand for telling his stories, however varied they may be. Added to that, Ariadna Gil, who must by now be seriously considered as the most gifted actress in present-day Spanish film-making, takes on a double role in this film with perfect adaptability. Fernando Fernán Gómez is, as is to be expected in our most veteran actor now that Paco Rabal is no longer with us, just naturally wonderful in the role of an old discontent, fending off enemies like a metaphorical Quixote charging windmills. Rosá María Sardá is just right in her so exactly right Barcelonese part; both Eduard Fernández and Jorge Sanz carry out their jobs very well, though the latter has a relatively small, but important, part in the film. Antonio Resines plays a very sober and convincing role.

    Full marks to Fernando Tielve as the fourteen year old through whose eyes the story is told; great playing by this youngster and captures the camera exceedingly well. Aida Folch as the sick fifteen year old, suffering tuberculosis, was mostly pretty good with just a couple of weak points, but on the whole her performance is not marred. Hope to see more of these youngsters as they grow up...

    However, when Ariadna Gil is in a film it becomes a little difficult objectively focussing on anyone or anything else. Ever since `Belle Époque' passing through `Malena es un nombre de Tango' (qv), `Tranvía a la Malvarrosa', and the late Ricardo Franco's `Lágrimas Negras' (qv), among others, it should be apparent that this actress is capable of any role you may suggest: indeed, she is already known as the `actress for impossible parts'. Her tour de force is, perhaps, most notable in Ricardo Franco's film.

    Antoine Duhamel's music is fine - as is to be expected now that he has worked with Trueba in a number of films since `Belle Époque'. Really worthy of mention are the excellent studio-built scenes, lending real authenticity to the lower class suburbs of Barcelona in 1949, in this case Gracia and its Plaza de Rovira, complete with a number 39 period-piece tram, and the various street scenes of Shanghai. José L. López Linares' photography lives up to the occasion and seems to enjoy lingering over some of the street scenes, such as Cinema posters and fruit stalls.

    This is a good piece, well away from the run of the mill, painstakingly knitting together reality and fantasy, fusing them into one, and thus turns out satisfying intellectually as well as visually. Definitely well above a seven out of ten on my scale.
    helpful•12
    1
    • khatcher-2
    • Apr 20, 2002

    Details

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    • Release date
      • April 12, 2002 (Spain)
    • Countries of origin
      • Spain
      • France
      • United Kingdom
    • Official site
      • Official Site
    • Languages
      • Spanish
      • Catalan
    • Also known as
      • The Shanghai Spell
    • Filming locations
      • Cardedeu, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain
    • Production companies
      • Antena 3 Televisión
      • Eurimages
      • Lolafilms
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

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    • Gross worldwide
      • $1,152,695
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Technical specs

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    • Runtime
      1 hour 59 minutes
    • Color
      • Black and White
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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