# Walking Distance (film)

Walking Distance (Spanish: Distancias cortas, lit. 'Short distances') is a 2015 Mexican comedy-drama film directed by Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez (in his directorial debut) and written by Itzel Lara. Starring Luca Ortega (who also composed the music for the film), Mauricio Isaac, Joel Figueroa and Martha Claudia Moreno.

## Synopsis

Federico is a 45-year-old man and suffers from morbid obesity that prevents him from moving easily, for this reason he spends every day locked up in his house with sporadic visits from his brother-in-law Ramón and his sister. But, after buying a camera and discovering an unrevealed film, Federico embarks on a journey to witness a sunrise on the beach.

## Cast

The actors participating in this film are:
* Luca Ortega as Federico Sánchez
* Joel Isaac Figueroa as Paulo
* Mauricio Isaac as Ramón
* Martha Claudia Moreno as Rosaura
* Mayra Hermosillo as Pilar
* Regina Flores Ribot as Federico's mother
* José Carriedo as Doctor
* César Cancino as Soccer Kid 1
* Alejandro Cruz López as Soccer Kid 2
* Juan Carlos Medellin as Mailman
* Emilio Gaitán as Veracruz Kid

## Production
### Financing

It was financed by the Fund for Quality Film Production (Foprocine) after winning the 2014 First Film Fiction Film Project Production Contest.

### Filming

Principal photography began on June 2, 2014, in Mexico City and Veracruz, Mexico.

## Release

It had its international premiere on October 9, 2015, at the 64th Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, a few days later it premiered at the Montréal Festival du Nouveau Cinéma, Canada. It had its first premiere in Mexico on March 6, 2016, at the Guadalajara International Film Festival. It was commercially released on January 25, 2019, in Mexican theaters.

## Reception
### Critical reception

Irving Torres Yllán from CineNT highlighted Itzel Lara's story and script for being able to write credible, lively and, above all, human characters, as well as highlighting the good choice of casting. Rafael Aviña from Cine Premiere also highlights the human, sincere and realistic nature of the story but without forgetting the sense of humor.

### Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Recipient | Result |
| 2015 | Mannheim-Heidelberg International Filmfestival | Prize of the Ecumenical Jury | Walking Distance | Won |
| 2015 | Tehran International Film Festival | Best Directing | Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez | Won |
| 2016 | The Festival Pantalla de Cristal | Best Supporting Actress | Martha Claudia Moreno | Won |
| 2016 | Pantalla de Cristal Film Festival | Best Cinematography | Diana Garay | Won |
| 2016 | Rome Film Fest | Best Film | Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez & Mariana Monroy | Nominated |
| 2016 | Santa Barbara International Film Festival | New Vision Award | Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez | Nominated |
| 2016 | Skip City International D-Cinema Festival | Feature Film | Walking Distance | Won |
| 2017 | Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival | Best Director | Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez | Won |
| 2017 | Golden Rooster and Hundred Flowers Film Festival | Best Actor | Luca Ortega | Won |
| 2017 | Ariel Award | Best Actress in a Minor Role | Martha Claudia Moreno | Won |
| 2017 | Ariel Award | Best Supporting Actor | Mauricio Isaac | Nominated |
| 2017 | Ariel Award | Breakthrough Male Performance | Luca Ortega | Nominated |
| 2017 | Ariel Award | Best Original Screenplay | Itzel Lara | Nominated |
| 2017 | Ariel Award | Best First Feature Film | Alejandro Guzmán Alvarez | Nominated |