{ "id": "ep4wgme5bt", "slug": "azuloscurocasinegro", "title": "Azuloscurocasinegro", "updated": "2026-11-01", "topic_path": [ { "id": "culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture" }, { "id": "culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical", "label": "Drama and biographical films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s", "label": "Drama films 2000s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s.biographical-and-historical-drama-films", "label": "Biographical and historical drama films 2000s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s.biographical-and-historical-drama-films" }, { "id": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s.biographical-and-historical-drama-films.yr-2006-2009", "label": "Released 2006 to 2009", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/topics/culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s.biographical-and-historical-drama-films.yr-2006-2009" } ], "geo": [ { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020: Drama films 2000s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s", "path": [ { "id": "geo.weu", "label": "Western Europe", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001", "label": "Western Europe · 2001 to 2020", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture", "label": "Arts and culture", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance", "label": "Screen and stage", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen", "label": "Film and television", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films", "label": "Films and standalone screen works", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works", "label": "Individual films by title and year", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical", "label": "Drama and biographical films (individual works)", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical" }, { "id": "geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s", "label": "Drama films 2000s", "api_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/api/v1/geo/geo.weu.t2001.culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s" } ] } ], "excerpt": "Azuloscurocasinegro (DarkBlueAlmostBlack) is Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's 2006 Spanish debut feature, a tragicomedy about Jorge, a doorman caring for his stroke-stricken father; it won three Goya Awards in 2007.", "snippet": "Azuloscurocasinegro (DarkBlueAlmostBlack) is Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's 2006 Spanish debut feature, a tragicomedy about Jorge, a doorman caring for his stroke-stricken father; it won three Goya Awards in 2007.", "node": "culture.performance.screen.films.films.individual-works.drama-biographical.drama-films-2000s.biographical-and-historical-drama-films.yr-2006-2009", "markdown": "# Azuloscurocasinegro\n\n**Azuloscurocasinegro** (also written *AzulOscuroCasiNegro*, international title *DarkBlueAlmostBlack*) is a 2006 Spanish tragicomedy and the feature debut of director and screenwriter Daniel Sánchez Arévalo. It follows Jorge, a 25-year-old who takes over his father's job as a building doorman after the father suffers a cerebral stroke, while his imprisoned brother Antonio asks him for an unexpected favor involving Paula, a fellow prisoner who wants to become pregnant.[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) • [2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/)\n\n| Key fact | Detail |\n|---|---|\n| Original title / international title | Azuloscurocasinegro / DarkBlueAlmostBlack[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n| Director and writer | Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, his first feature film[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n| Release | Spain, 31 March 2006; France, 28 February 2007; Belgium, 11 April 2007[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n| Running time | 105 minutes[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n| Main cast | Quim Gutiérrez (Jorge), Marta Etura (Paula), Antonio de la Torre (Antonio), Raúl Arévalo, Héctor Colomé[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n| Goya Awards 2007 | Three wins from six nominations: Best New Director, Best Supporting Actor, Best New Actor[3](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/) • [2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/) |\n| Production | Tesela Producciones Cinematográficas, producer José Antonio Félez; distributed in Spain by Alta Films[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) |\n\n## Spoilers\n\n### Plot\n\nJorge has inherited his father's job after the older man, a doorman named Andrés, was left paralyzed by a cerebral infarction. He juggles the porter's lodge, caring for his father, and finishing a degree, while trying to find other work; employers reject him because he must remain available for his father.[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) • [4](https://www.espinof.com/criticas/azuloscurocasinegro-bastantebuenacasiperfecta/amp) His brother Antonio, serving a prison sentence, stages theater works behind bars and is in love with Paula, an inmate who collaborates with him and wants to have a child as soon as possible. Through Antonio, Jorge meets Paula, and the strange relationship that develops pushes him to stop feeling responsible for everything and face his own desires, disregarding what others expect of him.[1](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/) • [2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/)\n\nAround this core, the film weaves parallel stories: Jorge's ex-girlfriend Natalia, who has spent time in Germany, and his friend Israel, who passes his free time with Jorge and is shaken to discover that his father may be gay.[5](https://filasiete.com/critica-pelicula/azuloscurocasinegro/) Critics identified the film's central theme as the lack of freedom of decision, whether imposed by other people's expectations, the walls of prison, or self-censorship.[6](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/sensacine/)\n\n## Origin and production\n\nThe film grew out of Sánchez Arévalo's short *Física II* (2004), which swept Spanish festival awards and was shortlisted for the 2005 Oscars; the feature expanded characters the director had already studied in the short.[5](https://filasiete.com/critica-pelicula/azuloscurocasinegro/) • [7](https://bibliotecavirtual.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/Content/2025/2/Diario%20de%20Alcala%204328_be619476-fb07-405a-9bb1-644e5f889855.pdf) Sánchez Arévalo, born in Madrid in 1970, had worked as a television screenwriter after completing a business degree, then studied at Columbia University's film master's program before directing a string of award-winning shorts including *¡Gol!* (2002) and *Profilaxis* (2003).[7](https://bibliotecavirtual.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/Content/2025/2/Diario%20de%20Alcala%204328_be619476-fb07-405a-9bb1-644e5f889855.pdf) • [5](https://filasiete.com/critica-pelicula/azuloscurocasinegro/)\n\nThe film was produced by José Antonio Félez for Tesela PC with support from the ICAA and TVE, shot by cinematographer Juan Carlos Gómez, edited by Nacho Ruiz Capillas, and scored by Pascal Gaigne.[8](https://adopresci.org/cineforum-de-azuloscurocasinegro/) • [9](https://cineuropa.org/es/newsdetail/66679/rl/1/) Cineuropa's review credited Ruiz Capillas's lively editing, with fragmented shots and interwoven parallel storylines, as part of the film's success.[5](https://filasiete.com/critica-pelicula/azuloscurocasinegro/)\n\n## Reception and awards\n\n**Festival run.** After causing a sensation at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival in March 2006, where it won the Special Jury Prize, Best Screenplay, and the Critics' Prize, the film screened in the Venice Days (Giornate degli Autori) section at Venice 2006, where it took the Fedeora Award for Best Film, the Label Europa Cinemas Award, and the UAAR Award.[10](https://elpais.com/diario/2006/03/26/cultura/1143327608_850215.html) • [3](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/) It went on to win the Grand Prize for Best Film at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival, the Stockholm Film Festival's Best Directorial Debut, Santa Barbara's Nueva Vision Award, and the Violette d'Or at Toulouse Cinespaña, among others; IMDb lists 23 wins and 11 nominations overall.[3](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/) A later festival catalog states the film gathered more than 50 awards at festivals worldwide.[11](https://ccecolombia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/00_Catalogo.pdf)\n\n**Goya Awards.** At the 2007 Goya ceremony the film received six nominations and won three: Best New Director for Sánchez Arévalo, Best Supporting Actor for Antonio de la Torre, and Best New Actor for Quim Gutiérrez, in Gutiérrez's first leading role.[3](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/) • [2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/) Marta Etura was nominated for Best Lead Actress, and the film itself was nominated for Best Original Screenplay.[3](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/)\n\n**Box office.** Released nationally in Spain in March 2006 by Alta Films, the film reached the top 10 of the most-seen Spanish titles of 2006, with international sales handled by Sogepaq.[9](https://cineuropa.org/es/newsdetail/66679/rl/1/)\n\n## Cast and legacy\n\nThe film introduced or consolidated several actors of their generation. For Quim Gutiérrez it was his first lead role and brought the Goya for Best New Actor; Marta Etura, already a shooting star of 2006, played the prisoner Paula; and Antonio de la Torre, whose collaboration with Sánchez Arévalo had begun on the short *Profilaxis*, said the role of Antonio changed his career and his life.[2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/) • [9](https://cineuropa.org/es/newsdetail/66679/rl/1/) • [12](https://www.academiadecine.com/2017/12/22/escribir-en-espiral-daniel-sanchez-arevalo-en-el-dia-corto/) Raúl Arévalo has described 2006 as the year the film showed him what an artistic family was; he repeated with the director in *Gordos* (2009) and *Primos* (2011).[13](https://elpais.com/icon/2026-09-24/raul-arevalo-he-trabajado-con-algun-director-que-hoy-seria-denunciado-seguro-que-ahora-no-se-comportaria-asi.html)\n\nThe title itself is symbolic: it can denote a state of mind, an uncertain future, or a color that varies with mood.[2](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/) Sánchez Arévalo returned to its themes of brothers, family, and finding one's place in the world throughout his later career, from *Gordos* to *La gran familia española* and *Diecisiete*, and has said *Diecisiete* has the strongest link back to *Azuloscurocasinegro*.[14](https://www.academiadecine.com/2019/09/26/daniel-sanchez-arevalo-he-puesto-el-cuentakilometros-a-cero/)\n\n## References\n\n1. [Azuloscurocasinegro, Cineuropa film database](https://cineuropa.org/es/film/63216/en/index/)\n2. [Azul Oscuro Casi Negro (2006), SensaCine](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/)\n3. [Azuloscurocasinegro (2006) Awards, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/es/title/tt0452971/awards/)\n4. ['Azuloscurocasinegro', bastante buena casi perfecta, Espinof](https://www.espinof.com/criticas/azuloscurocasinegro-bastantebuenacasiperfecta/amp)\n5. [Azuloscurocasinegro: ópera prima premiada en Málaga, FilaSiete](https://filasiete.com/critica-pelicula/azuloscurocasinegro/)\n6. [Crítica de Azul Oscuro Casi Negro, SensaCine](https://www.sensacine.com/peliculas/pelicula-119640/sensacine/)\n7. [Diario de Alcalá: Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, Biblioteca Virtual de Alcalá de Henares](https://bibliotecavirtual.ayto-alcaladehenares.es/Content/2025/2/Diario%20de%20Alcala%204328_be619476-fb07-405a-9bb1-644e5f889855.pdf)\n8. [Cinefórum de AzulOscuroCasiNegro, ADOPRESCI](https://adopresci.org/cineforum-de-azuloscurocasinegro/)\n9. [Azuloscurocasinegro: todos los tonos de la vida, Cineuropa](https://cineuropa.org/es/newsdetail/66679/rl/1/)\n10. [Gerardo Herrero triunfa en Málaga con su adaptación de 'Los aires difíciles' | Cultura | EL PAÍS](https://elpais.com/diario/2006/03/26/cultura/1143327608_850215.html)\n11. [Rondallas festival catalog, Centro Cultural de España en Colombia](https://ccecolombia.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/00_Catalogo.pdf)\n12. [Escribir en espiral. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo en El día + corto, Academia de Cine](https://www.academiadecine.com/2017/12/22/escribir-en-espiral-daniel-sanchez-arevalo-en-el-dia-corto/)\n13. [Raúl Arévalo interview, El País](https://elpais.com/icon/2026-09-24/raul-arevalo-he-trabajado-con-algun-director-que-hoy-seria-denunciado-seguro-que-ahora-no-se-comportaria-asi.html)\n14. [Daniel Sánchez Arévalo: \"He puesto el cuentakilómetros a cero\", Academia de Cine](https://www.academiadecine.com/2019/09/26/daniel-sanchez-arevalo-he-puesto-el-cuentakilometros-a-cero/)\n\n---\n*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Drama and biographical films (individual works) › Drama films 2000s › Biographical and historical drama films 2000s › Released 2006 to 2009*\n\n*Initially written Oct 3, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 3, 2026; Oct 25, 2026; Nov 1, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*\n\n*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*\n\nLicense: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license\n", "same_as": [], "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro", "markdown_url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro.md", "license": { "name": "Edgepedia Community License 1.0", "url": "https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license", "summary": "Free with credit, commercial use included. AI training is open to everyone. For other uses, organizations over USD 100M in revenue or 100M monthly users license separately.", "spdx": "LicenseRef-Edgepedia-Community-1.0" }, "credit": "\"Azuloscurocasinegro\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "credit_md": "\"[Azuloscurocasinegro](https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro)\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), [https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro](https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro). [Edgepedia Community License 1.0](https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license).", "credit_html": "\"Azuloscurocasinegro\", Edgepedia (EdgeChat), https://www.edgepedia.org/azuloscurocasinegro. Edgepedia Community License 1.0.", "speakable": "Azuloscurocasinegro is Daniel Sánchez Arévalo's 2006 Spanish debut feature, a tragicomedy about Jorge, a doorman caring for his stroke-stricken father; it won three Goya Awards in 2007." }