The directory «Plots»

«Cell 211» («Celda 211»)

Cell 211 is a 2009 Spanish prison film directed by Daniel Monzón, starring Luis Tosar, Alberto Ammann and Antonio Resines. The screenplay was adapted from a homonym novel by Francisco Pérez Gandul in a story of loyalty, friendship and guts set during a prison riot. An artistic and commercial success, the film won eight Goya Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

Juan Oliver wants to make a good impression at his new job as a prison officer and reports to work a day early, leaving his pregnant wife, Elena, at home. His destiny is forever changed by this fateful decision, as during his tour of the prison, an accident occurs that knocks him unconscious. He is rushed to the empty but visibly haunted walls of cell 211. As this diversion unfolds, inmates of the high security cell block strategically break free and hijack the penitentiary. Aware of the violence that is to come, the prison officers flee, leaving Juan stranded and unconscious in the heart of the riot. When Juan awakens, he immediately takes stock of the situation; in order to survive, he must pretend to be a prisoner.

Juan manages to convince the other prisioners that he is one of them, and that he just entered the prison that very day for homicide. He not only makes himself believed as as inmate, but befriends the violent deep voice leader of the riot, Malamadre, who takes him under his wing.

Malamadre discovers that Basque terrorists are being held in the same prison, and plans to use them as a bargaining tool. When this hits the news, it triggers a stream of prison riots throughout the country as well as demonstrations in the Basque Country. Juan quickly realizes that he is on his own as the situation becomes more politicized and the government gets involved, afraid of potential ramifications in the Basque community.

Juan's pregnant wife, Elena, slowly learns about his impossible situation and heads for the jail. Once there she is brutally beaten outside the prisons, while trying to get information about her husband.

Spain, 2010, «Celda 211»