Pídele cuentas al rey (2000)
A defiant Asturian miner walks the length of Spain to demand the king honor every citizen's constitutional right to work.
Pídele cuentas al rey - Movie Information
- Original Title: Pídele cuentas al rey
- Release Year: 2000
- Directed by: José Antonio Quirós
- Type: Movie
- Runtime: 1h 36m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 10, 2000 (Spain)
- Production Countries: Spain
Pídele cuentas al rey - Plot
Fidel, an Asturian miner, after the closure of the mine where he works, decides to walk to Madrid with his family, to ask the king why the Constitution is not met, specifically the article that points out that all the Spanish citizens have the right to have a decent work. Will the king receive him?
Pídele cuentas al rey - Trailer
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Pídele cuentas al rey - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- José Antonio Quirós
Main Cast
- Antonio Resines
- Adriana Ozores
- Jesús Bonilla
- Pedro Civera
- Alfonso Vallejo
- Pepo Oliva
- Manuel Alexandre
- Carmen Vicente-Arche
- Loli Astoreka
- Nicolás Fernández Luna
Writers
- Pedro Costa Musté
- José Antonio Quirós
- Alicia Luna
- Clara Pérez Escrivá
Producers
- Pedro Costa Musté
- Enrique Cerezo
Pídele cuentas al rey - FAQs
What is Pídele cuentas al rey about?
Pídele cuentas al rey follows Fidel, an Asturian miner who loses his job when his mine closes. Refusing to accept the situation quietly, he walks to Madrid with his family to confront the king directly and demand that the Spanish Constitution's promise of decent work for all citizens be honored.
Who are the main actors in Pídele cuentas al rey?
The film stars Antonio Resines as Fidel, the determined miner at the story's heart, alongside Adriana Ozores as his wife Lina and Jesús Bonilla as Tavio. The supporting cast includes Pedro Civera, Alfonso Vallejo, Pepo Oliva, Manuel Alexandre, Carmen Vicente-Arche, Loli Astoreka, and Nicolás Fernández Luna.
Does Fidel actually meet the king in the film?
The question of whether Fidel succeeds in gaining an audience with the king is the central dramatic tension of the film. His long march from Asturias to Madrid is both a literal journey and a symbolic act of civic defiance, and the film builds its emotional weight around whether ordinary citizens can truly hold power accountable.
Is Pídele cuentas al rey based on a true story?
While the film is not based on a single documented true event, it draws on the very real social crisis caused by the decline of coal mining in Asturias during the 1990s. The mass layoffs and protests of that era, including miners' marches to Madrid, directly inspired the film's premise and emotional authenticity.
Who directed Pídele cuentas al rey?
Pídele cuentas al rey was directed by José Antonio Quirós, who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Pedro Costa Musté, Alicia Luna, and Clara Pérez Escrivá. The film reflects Quirós's interest in socially engaged storytelling rooted in the everyday struggles of working-class Spanish communities.
When was Pídele cuentas al rey released?
Pídele cuentas al rey was released in Spain on February 10, 2000. The film arrived at a time when the social and economic consequences of industrial restructuring in regions like Asturias remained a deeply felt and politically charged subject across the country.
What themes does Pídele cuentas al rey explore?
The film explores themes of working-class dignity, civic rights, and the gap between constitutional promises and lived reality. It examines how deindustrialization devastates communities, and frames one man's stubborn, idealistic march as both a personal act of courage and a broader commentary on democratic accountability in modern Spain.
What are similar films to Pídele cuentas al rey?
Viewers who appreciate Pídele cuentas al rey may enjoy other films centered on mining communities and working-class struggles, such as North Country (2005), The Heart of the Earth (2007), Blind Shaft (2003), Act of Vengeance (1986), and Khadak (2006), all of which explore labor, identity, and resistance in industrial settings.
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