# The Belly of the Sea

The Belly of the Sea (Catalan: El ventre del mar) is a 2021 Spanish drama film directed and written by Agustí Villaronga, based on the novel Ocean Sea by Italian writer Alessandro Baricco. It was shot in black and white and stars Roger Casamajor and Òscar Kapoya.

## Plot

In June, 1816, the French frigate Alliance runs aground off the coast of Senegal. Without enough boats for everyone, a raft is built to tow 147 men to shore. But panic and confusion seize the convoy and cut the tow rope, abandoning the raft to its fate. Hunger, madness and a fierce fight break out on that drifting raft. Savigny, a ruthless medical officer, and Thomas, a rebellious private sailor, face each other with a different attitude to survive. A horror that lasted for days and days. A scene where the greatest of cruelties and the sweetest of pieties were shown.

## Cast

* Roger Casamajor as Savigny
* Òscar Kapoya as Thomas
* Muminu Diayo as Thèrese
* Marc Bonnín as Markus

## Production

The Belly of the Sea was produced by Testamento and La Perifèrica Produccions alongside Turkana Films, Link-up Barcelona and Bastera Films, with the participation of IB3 and TV3, funding from the ICAA, support from the ICEC, and the sponsoring of Fundació Mallorca Turisme and the Mallorca Film Commission. It was fully shot in the island of Mallorca.

## Release

The film made its world premiere at the 43rd Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) in April 2021 as part of the official competition. In June 2021, it also screened at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival (FMCE), where it won six awards including the Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Film. It was likewise presented at the 69th San Sebastián International Film Festival, screened as part of the 'Made in Spain' section. Distributed by Elástica Films and Filmin, it was released in Spain on 12 November 2021.

## Critical reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 60% based on 5 reviews, with an average rating of 5.80. Javier Ocaña from El País commented "it's not an easy film, although it is a relevant study on cowardice and ineptitude, abandonment and forgetfulness, which unfortunately extends through the ages". Writing for Fotogramas, Beatriz Martínez rated the film four out of five stars, marvelling how, with a very low budget, Villaronga managed to create a masterpiece.

### Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
| 2021 | 43rd Moscow International Film Festival | Critics's Jury Award | The Belly of the Sea | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Film | The Belly of the Sea | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Silver Biznaga for Best Director | Agustí Villaronga | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Silver Biznaga for Best Screenplay | Agustí Villaronga | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Silver Biznaga for Best Actor | Roger Casamajor | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Silver Biznaga for Best Score | Marcús J.G.R. | Won |
| 2021 | 24th Málaga Film Festival | Silver Biznaga for Best Cinematography | Josep María Civit and Blai Tòmas | Won |
| 2022 | 9th Feroz Awards | Arrebato Award (fiction film) | Arrebato Award (fiction film) | Nominated |
| 2022 | 77th CEC Medals | Best Adapted Screenplay | Agustí Villaronga | Nominated |
| 2022 | 36th Goya Awards | Best Adapted Screenplay | Agustí Villaronga | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Film | Best Film | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Director | Agustí Villaronga | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Screenplay | Agustí Villaronga | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Actor | Roger Casamajor | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Production Supervision | Bàrbara Ferrer | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Art Direction | Susy Gómez | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Editing | Bernat Aragonés | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Original Music | Marcús JGR | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Cinematography | Josep M. Civit, Blai Tomàs | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Costume Design | Susy Gómez, Pau Aulí | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Visual Effects | Anna Aragonès | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Best Makeup and Hairstyles | Alma Casal | Nominated |
| 2022 | 14th Gaudí Awards | Public's Choice Special Award for Best Film | Public's Choice Special Award for Best Film | Nominated |