Once Upon a Time in Euskadi

Once Upon a Time in Euskadi (Érase una vez en Euskadi) is a 2021 Spanish coming-of-age drama film written and directed by Manu Gómez. It stars Asier Flores, Aitor Calderón, Miguel Rivera, and Hugo García alongside Luis Callejo, Marian Álvarez, Vicente Vergara, Pilar Gómez, and Vicente Romero.

Plot
Set in the Summer of 1985 in the Basque Country against the backdrop of the Basque Conflict, the plot tracks the stories of a group of four children with a maketo Andalusian immigrant background.

Production
The film was produced by La Canica Films alongside Érase mi cuadrilla AIE, with the participation of Historias del Tío Luis, RTVE, and EiTB, funding from the ICAA, and the collaboration of CreaSGR and the Gipuzkoa Foral Deputation. Shooting locations included Arrasate, Azkoaga, Bergara, Eibar, Elgeta, Elgoibar, Oñati, Soraluze-Placencia de las Armas, and Zumarraga.

Release
The film premiered in the 'RTVE Gala' of the 69th San Sebastián International Film Festival (Zinemaldia) on 22 September 2021. Distributed by eOne, it was released theatrically in Spain on 29 October 2021.

Critical reception
Roger Salvans of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars highlighting the "truth and innocence" pertaining the gang of children as the film's best while negatively citing some overly dramatic final twists.

Toni Vall of Cinemanía rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, underscoring it to be "a skillful dive into the lives of three friends whose world is teetering".

Raquel Hernández Luján of HobbyConsolas rated the film with 80 points ('very good'), highlighting "the setting, the most unexpected plot twists and the children's innocent look at a convulsive and complex social situation".

Accolades

 * align = "center" rowspan = "3" | 2022 || rowspan = "3" | 1st Carmen Awards || Best Supporting Actor || Vicente Romero || Nominated || rowspan = "3" |
 * Best Supporting Actress || María Alfonsa Rosso || Nominated
 * Best Sound || Diana Sagrista || Nominated
 * }
 * Best Sound || Diana Sagrista || Nominated
 * }
 * }