Bilbao Blues (1986)
A Spanish noir thriller where a privileged lawyer and a cunning criminal collide in a dangerous game of drugs and deception.
Bilbao Blues - Movie Information
- Original Title: Adiós pequeña
- Release Year: 1986
- Directed by: Imanol Uribe
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Thriller
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): October 31, 1986 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Bilbao Blues (US)
- Production Companies: Travelling Films
- Production Countries: Spain
Bilbao Blues - Plot
Beatriz is an attractive young lawyer who enjoys an enviable position thanks to the influence of her father, a prominent businessman. Lucas, a young man with a rather shady past, is struggling to emerge from the unfavorable situation in which life has placed him. When Lucas is arrested with a stash of adulterated cocaine, he becomes a client of Beatrice. He has hidden the pure cocaine with the intent to share it only with his associate Uriarte; and to do so he has had to deceive another one of his accomplices, making him believe that the business has failed.
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Bilbao Blues - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Imanol Uribe
Main Cast
- Ana Belén
- Fabio Testi
- Marcel Bozzuffi
- Juan Echanove
- José Manuel Cervino
- Nacho Martínez
- Antonio Valero
- Miguel Ortiz
- Marisa Tejada
- Juan Antonio Bardem
Writers
- Ricardo Franco
- Imanol Uribe
Producers
- Javier Inchaustegui
Bilbao Blues - FAQs
What is Bilbao Blues about?
Bilbao Blues follows Beatriz, a privileged young lawyer, who takes on Lucas as a client after he's arrested with adulterated cocaine. Lucas has stashed the pure drugs for a secret deal, deceiving his own accomplices along the way. The film weaves a tense thriller around drugs, betrayal, and moral compromise in Bilbao.
Does Bilbao Blues have a twist ending?
The film builds steadily toward a dark, morally charged conclusion. Lucas's web of deception — hiding pure cocaine from his own associates while manipulating Beatriz — unravels in ways that implicate nearly everyone. The ending leans into noir tradition, leaving little room for clean resolutions or innocent bystanders.
Where can you stream Bilbao Blues online?
Streaming availability for Bilbao Blues varies by region and platform. Your best bet is to check JustWatch, which tracks current viewing options across streaming services, rental platforms, and digital storefronts in your country, giving you the most up-to-date picture of where to watch.
Who plays the lead roles in Bilbao Blues?
Ana Belén leads the cast as Beatriz, the well-connected lawyer drawn into a dangerous situation, while Italian actor Fabio Testi plays Lucas, the cunning and morally ambiguous client at the center of the drug scheme. Marcel Bozzuffi, Juan Echanove, and Nacho Martínez round out the key supporting cast.
Who directed Bilbao Blues and what else has he made?
Bilbao Blues was directed by Imanol Uribe, a prominent figure in Spanish cinema known for politically charged and socially engaged films. He is perhaps best recognized for El proceso de Burgos (1979) and La muerte de Mikel (1984), both of which explore Basque identity and conflict with a sharp, unflinching eye.
Is Bilbao Blues based on a true story?
Bilbao Blues is not based on a specific true story. The screenplay was written by Ricardo Franco and Imanol Uribe, crafting an original noir-inflected thriller set against the backdrop of Bilbao's urban landscape. The film draws on the social tensions and drug culture present in 1980s Spain rather than any single real-life case.
What are some movies similar to Bilbao Blues?
If Bilbao Blues appeals to you, consider checking out Jagged Edge (1985), The Last Seduction (1994), or Dead of Winter (1987) for similarly tense, morally murky thrillers. Emilia Pérez (2024) and Brokedown Palace (1999) also explore crime and legal entanglement with compelling female leads at the center.
When and where was Bilbao Blues released?
Bilbao Blues had its theatrical release in Spain on October 31, 1986. The film is a Spanish production by Travelling Films and is set in Bilbao, the Basque Country's largest city, which lends the story much of its atmospheric, urban noir texture.
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