Historic night for Basque cinema: Handia takes home 10 Goya awards!

On Saturday February 3 the Spanish Film Academy held its Goya gala awards ceremony. The biggest winner of the night, clinching 10 awards, was Handia by Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi. This makes it the third most awarded film in the history of the Goyas, winning 10 of the 13 nominations. Zorionak!

Among the winners are Eneko Sagardoy, best new actor; Javier Agirre Erauso, best photography; and Pascal Gainge, best music.

The film tells the true story of Miguel Joaquín Eleizegui Arteaga (1818-1861), 

On Saturday February 3 the Spanish Film Academy held its Goya gala awards ceremony. The biggest winner of the night, clinching 10 awards, was Handia by Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi. This makes it the third most awarded film in the history of the Goyas, winning 10 of the 13 nominations. Zorionak!

Among the winners are Eneko Sagardoy, best new actor; Javier Agirre Erauso, best photography; and Pascal Gainge, best music.

The film tells the true story of Miguel Joaquín Eleizegui Arteaga (1818-1861), the giant of Altzo. After having fought for years in the Carlist Wards, Martin (Joseba Usabiaga) returns to his family home only to find that his younger brother Joaquin (Eneko Sagardoy) is a giant, a strange creature who has not stopped growing, and has become known as the Giant of Altzo. Martin decides to exploit his brother’s gigantism much like a circus act. Travelling around Europe, word spreads about the giant, who is exhibited to curious crowds and before illustrious personalities including Queen Isabel II of Spain.

Handia won the following awards:

-Best original screenplay: Aitor Arregi

-Best new actor: Eneko Sagardoy

-Best photography direction: Javier Agirre

-Best production supervision: Ander Sistiaga

-Best original music: Pascal Gaigne

-Better editing: Laurent Dufreche and Raul Lopez

-Best art direction: Mikel Serrano

-Best costume design: Saioa Lara

-Best special effects: Jon Serrano, David Heras

-Best makeup and hairstyles: Ainhoa Eskisabel, Olga Cruz and Gorka Agirre