The Contestant (2007 film)

The Contestant (Concursante) is a 2007 Spanish black comedy film directed by Rodrigo Cortés in his directorial debut feature. It stars Leonardo Sbaraglia.

Plot
The plot follows a lecturer on economic history (Martín Circo Martín) who wins the biggest prize ever (a set of prizes valued in €3 million) in a television game show in Spain, only to find out that the tax authorities want to keep a large part of the prize and he has no way to pay off his debts.

Production
The film was produced by Lazonafilms, Continental, Nephilim Producciones, and Filmax and it had the participation of TVE and TVG. Shooting locations included A Coruña.

Release
The film screened at the 10th Málaga Film Festival on 11 March 2007. Distributed by Filmax, it was released theatrically in Spain on 16 March 2007.

Reception
Jonathan Holland of Variety considered that Cortés "fails to take the premise anywhere interesting, but the pic has a madcap, contempo energy that could find it offshore fans".

Pere Vall of Fotogramas rated the film 3 out of 5 stars, highlighting an electric performance by Sbaraglia as the best thing about the film.

Accolades

 * rowspan = "9" align = "center" | 2008 || 22nd Goya Awards || Best Original Song || "Circus Honey Blues" by Víctor Reyes, Rodrigo Cortés || Nominated ||
 * rowspan = "8 | 6th Mestre Mateo Awards || colspan = "2" | Best Film || Nominated || rowspan = "8" |
 * Best Director || Rodrigo Cortés || Nominated
 * Best Screenplay || Rodrigo Cortés || Nominated
 * Best Actor || Leonardo Sbaraglia || Nominated
 * rowspan = "2" | Best Supporting Actor || Luis Zahera || Won
 * Chete Lera || Nominated
 * Best Editing || Guillermo Represa, Rodrigo Cortés || Won
 * Best Sound || Sergio Burman, Charlie Schmucler, Fran Gude || Nominated
 * }
 * rowspan = "2" | Best Supporting Actor || Luis Zahera || Won
 * Chete Lera || Nominated
 * Best Editing || Guillermo Represa, Rodrigo Cortés || Won
 * Best Sound || Sergio Burman, Charlie Schmucler, Fran Gude || Nominated
 * }
 * Best Editing || Guillermo Represa, Rodrigo Cortés || Won
 * Best Sound || Sergio Burman, Charlie Schmucler, Fran Gude || Nominated
 * }
 * }