Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

to wish upon

1939 They took away

everything, except hope

PRODUCER BALEUKO ETB ASOCIATED PRODUCER ETB

BARBARA GOENAGA, ITZIAR LAZKANO, ESTIBALIZ GABILONDO, KLARA BADIOLA, TERESA CALO, AMAIA LIZARRALDE, GARBIE INSAUSTI, SARA COZAR, AMAGOIA LAUZIRIKA, AITOR BELTRN, ALEX BERMDEZ, ITZIAR ITUO Y PATXI SANTAMARA ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: JULEN ROBLES MAKEUP: EVA ALFONSO HAIRDRESSER: CARMEN BEINAT COSTUME DESIGNER: JOSUNE LASA SOUND RECORDIST: PABLO BUENO ART DIRECTOR: PEIO VILLALBA MUSIC: JOSERRA GUTIERREZ FILM EDITOR: MIKEL RUEDA DIRECTOR OF FOTOGRAPHY: GONZALO BERRIDI LINE PRODUCER: MIKEL HURCANOS EXECUTIVE PRODUCER: ASIER BILBAO PRODUCERS: KARMELO VIVANCO, EDUARDO BARINAGA DIRECTED & WRITTEN: MIKEL RUEDA izarrenargia.com

R E I S S O D SS E R P

Stars
Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

to wish upon

INDEX

SYNOPSIS.........................................................................3 PROJECT DESCRIPTION...................................................4 CREW................................................................................7 TECHNICAL DATA............................................................7 DIRECTOR.........................................................................8 CHARACTERS...................................................................9 BALEUKO S.L................................................................ 16 CONTACT....................................................................... 20

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

SYNOPSIS

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

1938. Victoria, the widow of a Republican, is thrown into Saturrarn Prison together with her sister and her son. In this womens prison, guarded by nuns from the Order of the Sisters of Mercy, one of the darkest episodes in the Spanish Civil War took place, and Victoria personally went through it herself. The White Panther, the prison governor, inspired by Doctor Vallejos theories, will snatch the prisoners children from them, supposedly for the good of Spain. Victoria, out of desperation because of the loss of her son, will confront the White Panther along with the other inmates, will suffer her punishments and humiliations, will try to escape and finally will learn how to survive in the hope of finding her son again one day. The thing is, when all is lost, hope is the only thing than can keep you going.

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

This story is set in Saturrarn, a small place near the town of Ondarroa in Vizcaya where there is a seminary that during the Spanish Civil war was turned into a womens prison. It begins around 1938 and lasts until 1944 and occupies a dark place in the events of the war. This film is an exercise in recovering our historical memory; in this case from the viewpoint of women with an additional gender perspective in the way it deals with this subject. The main aim would be to combine these two aspects, women and historical memory, which was something that hadnt been done before. Much has been said about battalions, the role played by artists, civil society, the opposing side, the media in the war. but few have given a leading role to women. If we add to this the historical and symbolic value of the fact that over six years from 1938-1944, thousands of female prisoners in Saturrarn, mainly Basques and Asturians, went through hell, we are faced here with an unprecedented event that needs to be dealt with in a way that is in keeping with its significance and historical importance. If this was the background, then the suitability of the project also has to do with a context that provided us with a natural opportunity. On the 31st of October 2007 the Law concerning Historical memory was passed. This was a law that recognised and extended rights and established measures to help people who had been persecuted or had been the victims of violence during the Civil War and the Dictatorship.

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

This was an essential law, and one that was utterly necessary. Some would say that it came late, while others said that at the very least it did come about. For our part we think that now that we have opened the door, this is the moment to take a step further for the people who have been forgotten; a step towards remembering what was unjust and wrong. In short, this is a step further to make it quite clear, once and for all, what that period meant and how the people who played a leading role in it experienced it. Izarren argia takes this step, because this film doesnt just tell the story of a period, or even of a generation. Izarren argia is a feeling, an ode to hope; the hope that a lot of people lost and that was so vital if they wanted to carry on. Its a film that provides a narrative that reviews a dark period, in which a lot of people had to keep quiet in order to be able to survive; and had to dream so as not to despair about their lives, a situation that was made especially worse because they were women. Very few people know that in Saturrarn prison, which was previously a spa, some of the most horrible events in the period after the Spanish Civil war took place, between 1938 and 1944. It was there that about five thousand women were imprisoned for no reason whatsoever, and were totally deprived of their freedom. Their own children were even taken away from them and given to Falangist families to be adopted, based on the cruel theory of mental inferiority propagated by Doctor Vallejo. The Nuns from the Sisters of Mercy Order, who had the job of guarding this prison, were accomplices to the system and formed just another link in the regimes chain of repression. Years later many people dared to speak out to denounce the horrors that occurred on the other side of the prison walls. Physical and psychological abuse, hunger, the deaths of boys and girls, women and especially, the degrading treatment that humiliated the women who were locked up there, day in, day out. It is estimated that 177 people died in the prison, and among these around 59 were boys and girls

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

The Nuns from the Sisters of Mercy Order, who had the job of guarding this prison, were accomplices to the system and formed just another link in the regimes chain of repression. Years later many people dared to speak out to denounce the horrors that occurred on the other side of the prison walls. Physical and psychological abuse, hunger, the deaths of boys and girls, women and especially, the degrading treatment that humiliated the women who were locked up there, day in, day out. It is estimated that 177 people died in the prison, and among these around 59 were boys and girls The story that we tell in Izarren argia is the story of one of the inmates, Victoria, who could be any of them; it is through her memories and struggle that we will realise how they lived in that prison, and how day after day they had to put up with the worst side of the war; in which all they could do was hope to try and survive in subhuman conditions. That is why "Izarren argia" is a tribute to all these women. Women from different parts of the country who were thrown into prison and forced to survive in a place they hadnt chosen, separated from their loved ones. Women who had no option and no say in anything, but who did have a great deal of hope. This is why this film is necessary: to do these women justice, and ensure that their story is not swept away by the winds of shamelessness, but especially it aims to show, that even in difficult, terrible dark times, there is room for hope. The thing is that when all is lost, hope is the only thing that can keep you going and save you.

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

CREW
DIRECTED & WRITTEN : Mikel Rueda Sasieta PRODUCER: Eduardo Barinaga EXECUTIVE PRODUCER : Asier Bilbao LINE PRODUCER : Mikel Hurcanos ASSISTANT DIRECTOR: Julen Robles DIRECTOR OF FOTOGRAPHY : Gonzalo Berridi ART DIRECTOR : Peio Villalba SOUND RECORDIST : Pablo Bueno MUSIC: Jos Ramn Gutirrez COSTUME DESIGNER : Josune Lasa MAKEUP : Eva Alfonso

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

TECHNICAL DATA
FORMAT : Fiction MASTER: 35 mm, color LENGTH: 90 min SOUND: Dolby Digital PROYECTION: 1:2,35 LABORATORY : Foto Film Deluxe, Madrid COMPANY : Baleuko SL PRODUCTION YEAR : 2009-2010 LANGUAGE: Euskera Spanish original subtitled version. Dubbed into Spanish without subtitles Original version subtitled in English.

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

DIRECTOR

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

"Estrellas que alcanzar" is the debut film by this filmmaker from Vizcaya who was born in Bilbao in 1980. He graduated in Audiovisual Communication specialising in Scriptwriting at the University of Navarre and has worked on several films in the audiovisual sector as a scriptwriter, director or producer. After a short but productive period of professional experience he went to New York to complete his training in film directing at the prestigious New York Film Academy thanks to a grant from Bizkaia Provincial Council.

Films as a director and scriptwriter: 9 milimetros (2002). Short film. El carrito (2003). Short film. rase una vez (2004). Short film. Steping in love (2006). Short film. Happy together (2006). Short film. Its been a long time. (2006). Short film. In the Laundry (2006). Short film. Just one Kiss (2007). Short film. Lost Time (2007). Short film. Present Perfect (2007). Short film. Cuando Corres (2009). Short film. Estrellas que alcanzar (2010). Full-length film. Films as a scriptwriter: Sin pecado Concebido (2003). Tv-movie. Salve oh Patria (2007). Full-length film. Lo peor (2009). Short film. Siempre hay una primera vez (2008). Short film. Ruega por nosotros (2008). Short film.

everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

CHARACTERS

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Victoria

Barbara Goenaga.
Secretos de cocina La buena nueva Los cronocrimenes Un poco de chocolate

Having worked as a teacher and having had to keep her family going have made her a strong-willed women who struggles hard to get on in life, and a leader who will cling to anything, no matter how small it is, so as not to lose hope, and to pursue her dreams. Because wherever you are, there are always dreams to follow, and stars to wish upon, although the darkness in the cells constantly does its best to try and keep out their light. The fact she is a teacher and a Republican widow will make her a target for the powers that be. However, Victoria is not the kind of woman that shouts her political views from the rooftops. It is her love for her son and her view of what is right and what is wrong that lead her to rebel against injustice and inspire her to act; and in Saturrarn prison she will have plenty of reasons to do so.

White panther
Itziar Lazkano
El coche de pedales Pecata minuta Vaya semanita (TV) Aupa Etxebeste!

She is the Mother Superior in Saturrarn prison. She is in charge of all the inmates in the jail. Dr. Vallejo has placed all his trust in her, and although she does not have unanimous support, she will try to carry out her mission without showing any doubts whatsoever about what she is doing, even though she does have some. Her doubts do not stop her from being an extraordinary strategist who has everything under control. She is ruthless and calculating.
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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Sagrario

Estibaliz Gabilondo.
CQC (TV) Casual Day Malas compaas (TV) Locos por el sexo

Sagrario is Victorias younger sister. She is a girl that constantly needs Victorias presence to feel safe. She wouldnt know what to do without her, and when she is not alongside her she suffers a lot.

Emelina

Klara Badiola
La buena nueva Cosmos La buena voz Un poco de chocolate Vacas Balbemendi (TV)

Emelina is one of the prison veterans. She was put inside as soon as the prison opened for helping the republican army. Emelina is a great believer in the Communist cause and is firmly committed to her ideas. She doesnt care how far she needs to go to defend what she believes in.

Sister Angeles
Teresa Calo
Cita con Alberto (Cortometraje) Goenkale (TV) Una bala para el Rey Balbemendi (TV)

Teresa is, shall we say, the second in command in Saturrarn. She only thinks about herself. She obeys the Panther but has made her own rules, and whenever she can she takes justice into her own hands according to her own ideas. Completely unscrupulous just like the Panther, she enjoys humiliating the inmates and watching them suffer. Power drives her crazy.

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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Jesusa

Amaia Lizarralde
Zorion perfektua La ardilla roja Catarsis Hospital Central (TV) El comisario (TV)

Jesusa also comes from the village. She worked with her parents and her husband, until the war tore them away from her. Since then Jesusa has become a docile, easily frightened individual who tries not to stand out from the crowd too much. A bit of a coward, she doesnt tend to say much in public or even in private, and will try to do what she thinks best for her son, even if this causes her heart-rending grief.

Marisa

Garbie Insausti
Esporas; hitz debekatuak Pandora (Cortometraje) El Comisario(TV) Al salir de clase (TV)

Marisa is a city girl who is rather defenceless in prison. She will soon become Sister ngeless caprice and her fear of confronting the authorities will prove to be her downfall.

Julia

Sara Cozar
Mi querido Klikowsky (TV) Goenkale (TV) Kutxidazu bidea Ixabel Las mujeres de verdad tienen curvas (Teatro)

Julia is one of the many inmates who were sent to Saturraran together with Victoria. She firmly believes in her ideas, but the war has worn her down. Together with Emelina, she will be the one who will encourage the girls to stand up for their rights. Although her main concern is her sons welfare and she will cling to him right to the very end.
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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Sister Pilar

Amagoia Lauzirika
Martin (TV) Mi querido Klikowsky (TV) Jardines deshabitados (Cortometraje) Goenkale (TV)

She is the newcomer. She is utterly, totally in love with God and cannot understand it when those who serve him do not act sincerely, with the sole aim of helping their fellow men and women. Despite her youth and lack of experience, she will try and help the other girls in her own way.

Sister Angustias
Itziar Ituo
El final de la noche Agujeros en el cielo Goenkale (TV) Ander eta Konpainia (TV) Arkadia

Sister Angustias, together with Sister Mara is another of the young nuns in the convent. However she wont make do with merely following the dictates of God. This is why she will always be close to Sister Angeles.

Doctor Vallejo
Patxi Santamaria
Vacas Skizo Escalofrio Balbemendi (TV) Goenkale (TV)

He is a pro-Franco ideologue. According to his theories, Francos regime will manage to put an end to the blight of Marxism by separating the children of people who dont support the regime from their parents to give them up to be adopted by Falangist families, so that they can be re-educated in accordance with the criteria favoured by the regime. He is a great believer in his ideas and there is absolutely nothing that will stop him in his aims.
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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Pedro

Aitor Beltrn
La casa de mi padre La primera vez School killer Unidad Central Operativa (TV) El comisario (TV)

He is a fisherman from the village, who brings food to the prison whenever needed. Inside the prison he will get to know Victoria and his love for her will gradually grow stronger. A bit shy and good-hearted, Pedro has never been mixed up in politics.

Raul

Alex Bermdez
He is Victorias son. Hes got red hair and freckles. There is not much that can be said about this child who they will snatch from his mothers protection to give him up to be adopted.

Ana

Esther Uria
Estados alterados Maitena (TV) El Doctor Mateo (TV) La noche del Escorpin Algunas chicas doblan las piernas cuando hablan

Ana is another of the mothers who live in the prison. Particularly militant during the war, she ended up with a terrible limp after being brutally beaten up when she was captured.

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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Sister Maria
Iratxe Hernandez
Otsoa (Cortometraje) La meloda de las palabras (Cortometraje) Platanov (Teatro) Sueos de la casa de Bernarda Alba (Teatro)

Sister Maria is one of the youngest nuns in the convent and despite being deeply devoted to the Order, she wont understand certain decisions that the White Panther will take and will even feel able to question them.

Sister Teresa
Maite Bastos
Goenkale (TV) La Tostadora (Contrometraje) Kabia (Cortometraje) Bakarne (Cortometraje)

Sister Teresa, the Panthers faithful assistant, has been in the Order for longer than she can remember. For her, things have a quite clear order, and the White Panther has pride of place in this.

Priest

Zorion Egileor
La sombra de nadie La voz de su amo El florido pensil (Teatro) El da de su vida (Cortometraje)

He is the village priest. He knows little or nothing about the situation of the prisoners, and although he is basically not a bad person, he confines himself to doing his job, without needing to go any further, just in case he finds out things that he would prefer not to know about.

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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Mikel Tello

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Falangista Sargeant
Obaba Ladrones La buena nueva Un tiro en la cabezas Martin (TV)

The Sergeant guarding the prison is a soldier who has come down in the world, and for various reasons has been consigned to guarding a prison full of completely harmless women. This is why, whenever he has to act, he will do so with brutal violence, as he blames them for the situation he is in.

Stepmother
Maite Arrese
Kutsidazu bidea Ixabel Goenkale (TV) Teletxip (TV) Ernesto izatearen garrantzia (Cortometraje)

The woman who takes in Raul is the wife of a high-ranking official in the village, and after finding out that they needed suitable families to adopt the poor defenceless children of the Reds, she doesnt hesitate for a single moment. She is convinced that she is doing this for the good of the country, and that is why she will try and do everything she possibly can to get Raul away from his mother, Victoria.

Miguel

Eric Provanzas
La buena nueva Zorion perfektua Pilotari (TV) Sukalde kontuak Corrientes circulares

He is Pedros inseparable companion, and his faithful friend. He supports him in all the decisions he takes, and although he is not prepared to get too involved in politics, he does feel sympathy for the girls in the prison.

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everything, except hope

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to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

BALEUKO S.L.

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

Baleuko is an audio-visual company founded in September 1993 for the production of animated and real-action feature films and television programmes. Based near Bilbao (northern Spain), with a stable work force of 75 employees, Baleuko has produced eight animated features (including the first European full CGI feature film in 1997, entitled Megasonics) two real-action movies, numerous documentaries, as well as a wide array of television programs, and maintains a constant interest in new technologies.

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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

ANIMATION With an outstanding production strategy, Baleuko has released seven animated features and over 1,000 minutes of animation for the audio-visual market over a period of 10 years. Currently, Baleuko is working on three animated feature films. ANIMATED FEATURE FILMS PRODUCED Olentzero and the hour of gifts, 2008 Betizu and and the golden cowbell, 2007 (Nominated for Goya Awards 2008) Betizu and the mistery of Xangad, 2006 Olentzero and the magic log, 2005 The Balunis, journey to the end of the world, 2003 Nominated for Goya Awards 2005 Betizu in the stars, 2003 Olentzero, a Christmas tale, 2002 Nominated for Goya Awards 2003 The Megasonics, 1997 First European animated feature produced entirely in 3D. Winner of Goya Award 1998 IN DEVELOPMENT Olentzero and the giants, 2011 Black to the moon, 2011 ANIMATED SERIES PRODUCED Unibertsolariak, 13 x 8 - 2004 Unibertsolariak: English learning, 26 x 3 2002 IN DEVELOPMENT Black to the moon - The series, Tales from Liberty farm - 2010 CINEMA PRODUCED Stars to wish upon. Feature film 2010 Eutsi! (Resist!). Feature film 2007 Ispiluen jauregia (The palace of mirrors). TV movie 2005 Bakea ereiten (Sowing peace. Short film 30 2001 IN DEVELOPMENT Amaren eskuak. Feature film Hidden away. Feature film

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everything, except hope

1939 They took away

to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

TELEVISION Today, Baleuko is a leading television production company in Northern Spain, involved, particularly in the Basque country, with all television formats and genres, documentaries, children programmes, animated series, shows, TV series TV PROGRAMS Plat 2.0 Political debate. 2009-2010, weekly Oh happy day, musical show, 2009, weekly Pilotari, TV series, 2007 / 2008, weekly Horrelakoa da bizitza, Magazine, 2008, daily Zeure esku, Docu-reality, 2007, weekly Ordu txikitan, Talk show 2007 / 2008, weekly Erletxea, Reality show. 2006, weekly Beste gu, Testimonios. 2005-06, weekly Ze Kosmopolita, Humour. 2004 / 05, weekly Polticamente incorrecto, Political debate. 2001-2008, weekly Izarren Hautsa, Musical. 2002-03 Betizu, Children. 2000-01-02-03-04-05-06-07, daily Azken uda pasa, Current affairs. 2001, daily Galde Street, Magazine. 1999-2000, daily Beren Kasa, Magazine. 1999, weekly Easy Peasy, Show. 1998-99 Jaiak, Current affairs. 1996 - 2003, daily Euskaraokea, Children. 1996-97-98-99 DOCUMENTARIES Jorge Oteiza, 1908-2008 y sigo, 55 - 2008 Euskadi 1936, una nacin al lmite, 55 - 2006 Memoria de la represin franquista, 50 - 2005 Indurain, un hombre tranquilo, 55 2001 Arrupe, la iglesia del siglo XXI, 2x50 - 2001 Juan Pablo II, la cuenta atrs, 50 - 2001 La transicin en Euskadi, 12x50 1999-2000 Los esclavos vascos del III Reich, 50 - 2002 Oro rojo, 50 - 2002 Zabalaga, el jardn del genio, 50 - 2001 La posguerra en Euskadi, 3 x 50 2000

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everything, except hope

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to wish upon ~ Izarren argia ~

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

OTHER MEDIA Baleuko also has an applications development department on the basis of the results of its R+D projects, it creates a range of applications such as interactive games for television programmes or theme parks, characters animated in real time interacting with the audience, graphs for real-time data presentation, and programmes for control and optimisation of the animation department processes. Olentzero Theme Park, Mungia (Bilbao) Animatic Real-time interactive avatar. Interactive games for the Betizu childrens program Presentation of election results, Basque Parliament Elections, 1998 - 2001 2005 - 2009 APMAS Animation Production Management Software R&D Within the animation department, Baleukos technical staff is involved in several R&D projects, many of which are fully integrated into production development.

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CONTACT
Press

Stars

Barbara Goenaga Itziar Lazkano

izarrenargia.com

prensa@irekikom.com 94 421 26 73 www.irekikom.com

Production: Baleuko

saturraran@izarrenargia.com saturraran@estrellasquealcanzar.com 94 466 86 10

Distribution:

bartonfilms@bartonfilms.com 94 424 05 59

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