Sergi Calleja Movies

The admonition "neither a borrower nor a lender be" takes on new meaning in this drama from Spain, which looks at the unexpected effects of a loan on three friends. Carlos (Sergi Calleja) has dinner every few weeks with two close friends from his college days, Marta (Marta Belaustegui) and Santiago (Joel Joan). One night, Carlos asks a rather large favor of them; he's having a cash-flow problem with his new business and asks them to loan him 20,000 dollars each to cover bills, promising to repay the money as soon as possible. Marta and Santiago agree, but it's six months before Carlos can make good on his payment. In the meantime, much changes for the three friends; Marta and her husband Guillermo (Jose Tome) split up, Santiago calls off his relationship with Sol (Paz Gomez) to take up with Letitia (Ana Duato), and Carlos' wife Ainhoa (Lola Duenas) finds herself tempted into infidelity. Las Razones de Mis Amigos had its North American premiere at the 2000 Toronto Film Festival, where it was well received. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

A man tries to reconcile with his past before it disappears in the allegorical drama Las Huellas Borradas. Manuel (Federico Luppi) is a writer who journeys from Argentina, where he lives, to the Spanish village where he was born; word has reached him that the town will soon literally vanish, as the area is being turned into a giant reservoir. Manuel hopes to tie up some loose ends from his past, and hopes to rekindle his relationship with Virginia (Mercedes Sampietro), whom he loved as a young man. With the village's days numbered, many long-dormant rivalries have been brought back to life, as a number of people hope to settle old scores before progress eliminates their home town. Virginia also has to deal with her daughter Rosa (Elena Anaya) and her sudden rebellious streak -- she's now pregnant, and has decided to move in with her boyfriend Delfin (Sergi Calleja). Meanwhile, Manuel spends some time with his old friend Don Jose (Hector Alterio), with whom he discusses philosophy and the secrets of a town that will soon cease to exist. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Unemployed electrician Juan (Ramon Barea) leaves his family behind when he travels to Madrid in search of work. Beginning illegal construction work, Juan meets Caribbean mulatto Andy (Luis Alberto Garcia), an illegal immigrant. Juan's landlady Margarita (Marga Escudero) suggests sex for his rent, but he declines. When the construction job is complete, Juan is reduced to sleeping in doorways. He remains in contact with Andy, who introduces him to Sonia (Magalis Gainza). The three find common ground and become friends. Juan also meets junkie Beatriz (Patricia Garcia Mendez), a wealthy businessman's daughter. As Juan's descent into the numbing world of unemployment continues, he struggles to maintain his dignity. Shown at the 1997 San Sebastian Film Festival, this film is also known as Hitting Bottom. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi