Valentín (2002)
A Spanish theatre company rehearsing Shakespeare becomes the backdrop for jealousy, desire, and Iago-style scheming in this sharp drama-comedy.
Valentín - Movie Information
- Original Title: Valentín
- Release Year: 2002
- Directed by: Juan Luis Iborra
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Comedy
- Age Rating (US): NR
- Runtime: 1h 50m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish
- Release Date (Theatrical): April 11, 2003 (Spain)
- Production Companies: Agua Verde Audio Visual, Cuarteto Producciones Cinematográficas S.L.
- Production Countries: Spain
Valentín - Plot
A Spanish theatre company is rehearsing Shakespeare in the original style using young men to play the women's roles. Complicating their endeavors is the previously straight director's infatuation the new young man whose charming everyone except the slightly older young man who he's replacing. When the young man on the way out decides to settle the score with the young man on the way up, he draws on what he's learned in the theatre. Enter Iago.
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Valentín - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Juan Luis Iborra
Main Cast
- Lluís Homar
- Iñaki Font
- Armando del Río
- Elisa Matilla
- Jorge Bosch
- Alberto San Juan
- David Selvas
- Roberto Álamo
- Mercè Pons
- Oriana Bonet
Writers
- Marc Cases
- Juan Luis Iborra
- Juan Gil-Albert
Valentín - FAQs
What is Valentín about?
Valentín follows a Spanish theatre company rehearsing Shakespeare in the original Elizabethan style, with young men cast in the women's roles. When the director becomes infatuated with a charming newcomer, the young man being replaced plots revenge — drawing on the lessons of the stage and channeling the spirit of Iago.
How does Iago's role shape the film's story?
The film cleverly mirrors Shakespeare's Othello: the displaced actor, bitter and calculating, adopts Iago's manipulative tactics to undermine the newcomer who has stolen his place. Theatre and real life blur as the character's scheming spills off the stage and into the company's personal relationships.
Who are the main actors in Valentín?
The principal cast includes Lluís Homar as Ricardo, Iñaki Font as Valentín, Armando del Río as Jaime, Elisa Matilla as Lola, Jorge Bosch as Albert, Alberto San Juan as Raúl, David Selvas as Ramón, Roberto Álamo as Eusebio, Mercè Pons as Laura, and Oriana Bonet as Ana.
Is Valentín based on a Shakespeare play?
Valentín is not a direct adaptation of Shakespeare, but it is deeply inspired by Othello. The film uses the rehearsal of a Shakespearean production as its backdrop, and the scheming character of Iago becomes a narrative lens through which backstage jealousy and manipulation are explored in a contemporary Spanish setting.
Who directed Valentín?
Valentín was directed by Juan Luis Iborra, a Spanish filmmaker who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Marc Cases and Juan Gil-Albert. Iborra is known for his work in Spanish cinema and television, and this film reflects his interest in theatre, identity, and interpersonal drama.
What genre is Valentín?
Valentín is a Drama and Comedy. The film blends theatrical intrigue with sharp wit and emotional depth, using the world of a Spanish theatre company as a stage for exploring desire, jealousy, and identity. Its tone balances comedic moments with more serious undercurrents of manipulation and rivalry.
When was Valentín released?
Valentín was released in Spain on April 11, 2003. The film had its US release on April 29, 2003. Produced in Spain, it is an original Spanish-language production directed by Juan Luis Iborra and features a cast of well-known Spanish stage and screen actors.
How long is Valentín?
Valentín has a runtime of 1 hour and 50 minutes (110 minutes). The film uses its running time to develop the layered dynamics within the theatre company, allowing the tension between the director, the newcomer, and the displaced actor to build gradually toward its dramatic conclusion.
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