# The Sleeping Voice

The Sleeping Voice (Spanish: La voz dormida) is a 2011 Spanish drama film directed by Benito Zambrano based on the novel of the same name by Dulce Chacón. It stars Inma Cuesta, María León, Marc Clotet and Daniel Holguín.

## Plot

Two sisters find themselves caught up in politics in the turmoil following the Spanish Civil War. The pregnant Hortensia is locked away in a crowded women's prison. Her younger sister Pepita moves from Andalusia to Madrid to be near her. In Madrid, she finds a job in a wealthy home with connections in the Francoist regime. Pepita meets young guerrilla fighter (maquis) Paulino and falls in love with him.

## Cast

* Inma Cuesta as Hortensia
* María León as Pepita
* Marc Clotet as Paulino
* Daniel Holguín as Felipe
* Ana Wagener as Mercedes
* Susi Sánchez as Sor Serafines
* Ángela Cremonte as Elvira
* Berta Ojea [es] as La Zapatones
* Lola Casamayor [es] as Reme
* Antonio Dechent as juez
* Miryam Gallego as Doña Amparo
* Lluís Marco [es] as Don Gonzalo
* Fermí Reixach [es] as capellán
* Amparo Vega-León as Sole
* Charo Zapardiel as Tomasa

## Production

The film was produced by Maestranza Films alongside Mirada Sur, and had support from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación de Huelva, TVE, Canal+ and Canal Sur. Antonio Pérez is credited as producer and Álex Catalán as cinematographer. Shooting locations included the Plaza Mayor in Madrid. Around a 40% of the footage was shot in the province of Huelva.

## Release

The film screened at the 59th San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF). Distributed by Warner Bros Entertainment España, it was theatrically released on 21 October 2021. The Sleeping Voice made the shortlist of three candidates for the Spanish submission to the 84th Academy Awards together with The Skin I Live In and Black Bread, but the latter film became the final choice.

## Accolades

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2011 | San Sebastián International Film Festival | Silver Shell for Best Actress | María León | Won |
| 2012 | 17th Forqué Awards | Best Film | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2012 | 17th Forqué Awards | Best Actress | María León | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Film | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Director | Benito Zambrano | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Benito Zambrano, Ignacio del Moral | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Original Song | "Nana de la hierbabuena" by Carmen Agredano [ca] | Won |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Actress | Inma Cuesta | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Ana Wagener | Won |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best New Actor | Marc Clotet | Nominated |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best New Actress | María León | Won |
| 2012 | 26th Goya Awards | Best Costume Design | María José Iglesias García | Nominated |
| 2012 | 21st Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Leading Role | María León | Won |
| 2012 | 21st Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Leading Role | Inma Cuesta | Nominated |
| 2012 | 21st Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role | Ana Wagener | Won |
| 2012 | 21st Actors and Actresses Union Awards | Best Film Actress in a Secondary Role | Charo Zapardiel | Nominated |