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MONEY
Did you know
Shot for just $2.7M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
MoodPlayr · trivia#01
The Motive
2017 1h 44m ES
😐
6.2
MID
★6.2TMDB · 293
Drama
Synopsis
Spoiler shield
Álvaro, a man obsessed with the idea of writing what he brands as “high literature,” manipulates the lives and feelings of the people around him to write about the consequences caused by his devious acts.
“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”
Where to watch · US
Cast
Javier Gutiérrez
Álvaro
María León
Amanda
Adelfa Calvo
Building Manager
Adriana Paz
Irene
Tenoch Huerta Mejía
Enrique
Antonio de la Torre
Teacher
Cris Nollet
Policía 2
Rafael Téllez
Mr. Montero
Credits
Behind the camera
- Director
- Manuel Martín Cuenca
- Writers
- Alejandro Hernández, Manuel Martín Cuenca
- Languages
- Spanish, English
- Countries
- Mexico, Spain
Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.
Did you know?
Fun facts 🍿
2 / 8
ERA
Did you know
Released 9 years ago.
MoodPlayr · trivia#02
3 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
MoodPlayr · trivia#03
4 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
International production across 2 countries: Mexico, Spain.
MoodPlayr · trivia#04
5 / 8
WORLD
Did you know
Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
MoodPlayr · trivia#05
6 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca, shot by Pau Esteve Birba. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
MoodPlayr · trivia#06
7 / 8
DIRECTOR
Did you know
Editor Ángel Hernández Zoido shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
MoodPlayr · trivia#07
8 / 8
CAST
Did you know
Javier Gutiérrez and María León and Adelfa Calvo carry the top of the cast.
MoodPlayr · trivia#08
Cinephile deep dive
The take
Manuel Martín Cuenca directs. Pau Esteve Birba behind the camera. Ángel Hernández Zoido cuts. Produced in Mexico, Spain. Dialogue in Spanish, English.
Trivia
Things worth knowing
- 1Shot for just $2.7M — micro-budget by Hollywood standards.
- 2Released 9 years ago.
- 3Dialogue crosses 2 languages: Spanish, English.
- 4International production across 2 countries: Mexico, Spain.
- 5Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
- 6Directed by Manuel Martín Cuenca, shot by Pau Esteve Birba. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
- 7Editor Ángel Hernández Zoido shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
- 8Javier Gutiérrez and María León and Adelfa Calvo carry the top of the cast.
- 9IMDB entry: tt5451244 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
The technical file
- Cinematography
- Pau Esteve Birba
- Editing
- Ángel Hernández Zoido
- Runtime
- 104 min · 1h 44m
- Status
- Released
- Budget
- $2,691,410
- Original language
- ES
- Certification (US)
- 14
Also by
Manuel Martín Cuenca
Trailers & featurettes
Watch the pieces
Production companies
Who made it
LAZONA
ES
Alebrije Producciones
MX
Canal Sur
ES
- LA
La Loma Blanca
ES
TVE
ES
Icónica
ES
Key crew
- NovelJavier Cercas
- MusicJosé Luis Perales
- MusicPablo Perales
- SoundDaniel de Zayas
- SoundPelayo Gutiérrez
- SoundAlberto Ovejero
- EditorÁngel Hernández Zoido
- ProducerGonzalo Salazar-Simpson
- ProducerDavid Naranjo
- ProducerManuel Martín Cuenca
- ProducerJosé Nolla
- ProducerAlex Zito
- ProducerAlejandro Hernández
Themes & keywords
What it's about, really
- writing workshop
- aspiring writer
- seville, spain
Release history · US
When it landed
- Digital2018-08-1714
Also known as
International titles
- El móvilES
