Lena  (2001)

Theatrical Release Information:
Lena

In this downbeat drama, Lena (Marta Larralde) is an 18-year-old who has grown up in a seaside town on the northeast coast of Spain; while fishing was once the backbone of the local economy, the bay no longer produces a good catch, and now the community is largely supported by trade in illegal drugs. Gorrion (Manuel Manquina), Lena's father, works as a runner for a small-time drug cartel, which includes Gypsy (Luis Toser), Gorrion's close friend and Lena's godfather; Milio (Roberto Alvarez), a strong but tight-lipped young man; and Portuguese immigrant Cachero (Vitor Norte). Gorrion has a serious drinking problem and is not considered especially reliable by either Lena or his partners in crime; he is beaten when the crew suspects he's skimming money from the take, and while Lena had a good change of gaining a college scholarship, Gorrion botched it when he failed to submit the proper forms to the financial aid office. Resigned to paying off her father's debt to the mob, Lena offers to work for the local smugglers, and she soon becomes friendly with Milio, who displays the strength and cunning her father lacks. Eventually, Lena throws in her lot with Milio, and they decide to hop a ship to Portugal. Lena was the first feature film for director Gonzalo Tapia, and it also marked the professional acting debut of leading lady Marta Larralde. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide