09/08/2023 - Filming wrapped a few days ago on this social drama based on real events, produced by The Mediapro Studio and starring the same actor as the filmmaker's previous feature, Eduard Fernández

Actor Eduard Fernández (centre) on the set of The 47

The 47 is the new film written and directed by Marcel Barrena, starring the same actor as his previous Mediterráneo: The Law of the Sea [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile]: Eduard Fernández, supported by Clara Segura (who we will soon see in Creatura [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Elena Martín Gimeno
film profile], to be released in a month’s time), Salva Reina (in Spanish cinemas on 22 September with Tregua(s) [+see also:
film review
trailer
interview: Mario Hernández
film profile]), Carlos Cuevas (currently in The Man from Rome), Vicente Romero (Cuidado con lo que deseas [+see also:
trailer
film profile]), Betsy Túrnez, Lolo Herrero, Carme Sansa, Aimar Vega, Borja Espinosa, Francesc Ferrer and Zoe Bonafonte, plus the special collaboration of the versatile David Verdaguer (transformed into the comedian Eugenio by David Trueba in the biopic Saben aquel – read the news article).

Alberto Marini (Fatum [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) is co-screenwriter for the film along with the director. Based on real events, it tells the story of how the outskirts of Barcelona were built by immigrants from Extremadura and Andalucia in the 60’s and 70’s. They built neighbourhoods such as Torre Baró, which were not considered part of the city and their shantytowns did not even have running water or electricity. Fed up with the city council's claim that public transport cannot reach the area because the streets are too narrow and unsafe, bus driver Manolo Vital (played by Eduard Fernández) will try to prove the authorities wrong at the wheel of bus number 47.

The film was shot during part of June and July in Barcelona and many local residents were involved as extras. Their participation was key for Barrena, "this bus journey has been highly emotional as many of the extras were present in the real moments narrated in the film and they relived it with us."

For Jaume Roures, producer of the film (The Mediapro Studio), “it has been an exciting shoot. Recovering stories like that of the Torre Baró residents fighting for their rights is always necessary and socially healthy. But being able to do it with some of the key people involved has made the filming even more special."

For Eduard Fernández (who we saw months ago in Los renglones torcidos de Dios [+see also:
trailer
film profile]) “it has been an intense shoot to tell a tough story, but with a light and hopeful ending. I was excited to play this character whom I admire and to show the story of those expelled from their land who, looking for a place to live, also built Catalonia and fought for their dignity and that of the working class, symbolised by a bus that I myself often took when I was a child."

The 47 is being produced by The Mediapro Studio, with the participation of Televisió de Catalunya and RTVE, plus the support of the ICEC. The Mediapro Studio Distribution will manage its international sales.

(Translated from Spanish by Vicky York)