THE CARPENTER’S PENCIL

It’s February 1936. The doctor Daniel Da Barca (Tristan Ulloa) is a well-known socialist intellectual. Daniel’s girlfriend is Marisa Mallo (Maria Adanez) daughter of a fascist-supporting smuggler who is opposed to Marisa’s “politically dangerous” relationship. Just before theCivil War breaks out, a guard named Herbal (Luis Tosar) asks to assigned to follow Daniel Da Barca, whom, he claims, he knows very well. Then Herbal’s obsessive persecution begins and he becomes the shadow of both Daniel Da Barca and his girlfriend Marisa. When the Civil War breaks out Daniel is brutally detained and sent to prison in Santiago de Compostela. While Daniel is in prison, Benito Mallo tries to get his daughter Marisa to forget about him by introducing Alejandro to her, a fascist soldier considered by Benito as the ideal husband. But Marisa refuses to give up her love for Daniel and disregarding all risks involved, she begins a desperate fight to set him free. Her life then falls in the hands of Herbal, the guard, who has to decide between violence and conscience and between hate and admiration for Daniel Da Barca.

• Mar De Plata International Film Festival – Best Actor
• 1 Goya Awards nomination