"The movie invites us to decide if we are pleased or not. I agree with Ramon that, in the last analysis, the decision should be his to make: to be or not to be." Roger Ebert CHICAGO SUN-TIMES "Far from being a standard-issue tearjerker...the picture rises above its generic roots to emerge as a powerful human drama." Frank Swietek ONE GUY'S OPINION "Bardem is brilliant." David Sterritt CHRISTIAN SCIENCE MONITOR "Javier Bardem is the heart of this movie and he gives a great, screen-filling performance." Richard Roeper EBERT & ROEPER "The acting in the film is superb, especially by Bardem, who richly deserved his Academy Award nomination." Robert Roten LARAMIE MOVIE SCOPE

"Without lifting a finger, Javier Bardem gives the most stirring performance of the year." Bruce Newman SAN JOSE MERCURY NEWS "Javier Bardem delivers another terrific performance (this guy can do no wrong). He transforms into a man 30 years his senior, and he's totally believable." Cherryl and Leigh Ann THEMOVIECHICKS.COM "A film about death that is consistently brimming with life." Kevin Courrier BOXOFFICE MAGAZINE "Complemented with a gorgeous musical score which he conducted, Amenabar and Bardem combine to tell such a beautiful story" Erik Childress EFILMCRITIC.COM "It’s a shattering and terribly moving experience. Made by Alejandro Amenabar who made THE OTHERS it is sumptuously beautiful, bathed in light reflecting the blues and greens of the sky and the sea." Margaret Pomeranz ABC AT THE MOVIES

The Inside Story

"Ultimately, this is one man's story, told with great empathy, and Amenábar deserves great credit for lifting the film above the soap-opera sentimentality into which it could have easily fallen." Moira MacDonald SEATTLE TIMES

It's a timely story, the one told in "The Sea Inside" which is based on the life of Ramón Sampedro, a Galician man who was bedridden for nearly three decades after a diving accident left him a quadriplegic. I say timely because there are many people around the world who, if given the right, would, when faced with a terminal illness, like to be able to exercise the right to end their life with dignity. It makes interesting reading when one looks up the meaning of dignity in the OXford Dictionary. It says: dignity n. (pl. -ies) [1] composed and serious manner. [2] worthiness, nobleness (dignity of work). [3] high rank or position. beneath one's dignity not worthy enough for one. stand on one's dignity insist on being treated with respect. When it comes to the word right Oxford in part says; [1] just, morally or socially correct (do the right thing)[3] legal or moral entitlement; authority to act (human rights; right of reply). In light of the story of Ramón Sampedro and the plight of many others around the world, the right to 'die with dignity', to choose to end ones life when confronted with a terrible death through diseases like Cancer and Motor Neuron Syndrome, is still a long way off. Here in Australia there is great hypocrisy. There appears to be a greater interest in Animal Rights than there is in human rights when it comes to caring. Take these two examples. Australia recently enacted a law that says the tails of puppy dogs can no longer be 'docked'. This is because it is basically unwarranted, it is only cosmetic and because it is cruel and unreasonable to subject pups to the proceedure. It caused great debate and many facts came to light including one consistently agreed on. If the proceedure takes place within four [4] days of birth, the pups feel no pain. How is that so? Because nerve endings have not grown in to the pups tail. But here's hypocrisy at its best. The proceedure of tail Circumcision can not be practiced on an animal, yet every day, baby boys are circumcised in a practice that many in the medical profession deem unwarranted, unnecessary and medically dangerous. And young baby boys have all their nerves in place. Oh but don't worry, their to little to remember it. Yeh, that justifies it! As does the religious grounds. Now I'm not talking about the Jewish tradition but the so-called Christian practice which is perpretrated on babies by, lets face it, a whole lot of people who claim to be christian and in fact, are really not. Circumcision for boys should be left to when they are old enough to decide and it can be done under a full medical proceedure. If they want it. The next example I would like to give is the way animals have a right to die with dignity and humans do not. Here in Australia there are cases brought to court by the RSPCA for prosecution when animals are left to starve or slowly die from a terminal illness. It's a fact that if your animal is suffering a terminal death, you can't bring it home, make it a little bed and sit by, stroking its head while it fades to skin and bones and dies a terrible death. But humans can and they do every day of the week, every week of the year, and year after year. Sure you can go into a hospice and yes, some people want to go out that way. But not every one. For those who don't want to die in an undignified way, there is no choice. Animals, like my dog "Butch" recently did, could die with dignity. But if I suffered the same terminal disease [Cancer] that he did, I'd have to grin and bear it or suffer the indignity of forced suicide. Doesn't seem fair does it. Imagine how Ramón Sampedro felt after all those years, after all the struggle to die with dignity. But hang on. He could have died with dignity at home, surrounded by friends, taking a concoction of poisons or drugs that killed him. Too right he could have and he did. But you see, that's not death with dignity. That's suicide. Death with dignity is the legal right to end ones life. A death by means which the law says is just and right. Not suicide which many see as unjust and somewhat cowardly. It's an arguement fraught with danger I know, but after all it's only my view on the right to die in a dignified manner if the need should arise. Director Alejandro Amenábar presents a powerful case in this critically aclaimed film, "The Sea Inside" which started its journey after he read a copy of Ramón Sampedro's book 'Letters From Hell'. "I was absolutely enthralled by the way he expressed himself," says Amenábar. "And when I started interviewing the people who'd been close to him, I realized that this was a story definitely worth being told." While the film is based on the true life story it is just that. While they managed to retain much of the story, there had to be some changes as producer Fernando Bovaira points out. "When there are real people behind the characters, you need their authorization," Bovaira explained. "But I think we were delicate enough to make sure that no one felt uncomfortable. We showed them an almost finished screenplay and they gave their authorization for Alejandro to work freely." That also applied to the decision to include the many legal battles Ramón Sampedro fought. "It's the sort of thing you're either interested in or not," says co-screenwriter Mateo Gil. "And if you're not, it can become rather tedious." Also, Amenábar felt that the legal issues would eventually be resolved and if the film focused there it would eventually become dated." It was an important decision and one which had great significance for the Director. "It seemed more important to me," says Amenábar, "that someone seeing it in a few years should continue to give thought to the whole issue of what is life and what is death." But there were other challenges in making the film. Perhaps the biggest challenges faced the man who, at thirty five years of age, would have to give the performance of his life as a credible fifty five year old, Ramón Sampedro's age at his death. "I think that Javier is the best actor Spain has ever produced," says Amenábar. "I offered him the part and told him he could back out whenever he wished." Academy Award ® nominee Javier Bardem was willing to take up the role even if he was twenty years younger and didn't speak a word of the Galician language. "I spoke to family members and people that were close to him," says Bardem. "And they all said the same thing; he was a very happy person. He was actually the kind of person that you would pay a visit to in order to cheer yourself up. As an actor, I thought it was a risky thing to work with: a man who wants to die but at the same time is always smiling." Bardem also revealed that he read "Sampedro's two books, 'Letters From Hell' (collected writings) and 'Cando eu Caia' (poetry), watched documentary footage and studied the Galician language." He even went to a hospital where he could observe people being treated for the same injury Sampedro suffered. "I spent time with them trying to figure out how not to move." For the role he would have his head shaved, spend hours in the hands of Gladiator's celebrated English makeup artist Jo Allen and spend five hours a day in a bed on the set. The result is a man who is Sampedro. The performance is spellbinding. Crew Bytes "THE SEA INSIDE" was .......
directed by Alejandro Amenábar ["Himenóptero", "Tesis", "Open Your Eyes" and "The Others"]; screenplay by Alejandro Amenábar ["Himenóptero", "Open Your Eyes", "Vanilla Sky" and "The Others"] and Mateo Gil ["Tesis", "Open Your Eyes", "Nobody Knows Anybody" and "Vanilla Sky"]; original story by Ramón Sampedro ["Letters From Hell" and "Cando eu Caia"]; costume design by Sonia Grande ["Talk To Her", "The End of a Mystery", "The Whore and the Whale" and "Romasanta"]; production design by Benjamín Fernández ["Dragonheart", "Enemy of the State", "The Others" and "Man on Fire"]; special makeup artist Jo Allen ["Gladiator", "Sorted", "Quills", "Captain Corelli's Mandolin" and "The Hours"]; edited by Alejandro Amenábar ["Himenóptero"]; cinematography Javier Aguirresarobe ["The Girl of Your Dreams", "The Others", "Desire" and "Soldiers of Salamina"]; original music by Alejandro Amenábar ["Himenóptero", "Luna", "Butterfly's Tongue" and "The Others"] produced by Fernando Bovaira ["The Others", "Vanilla Sky", "The Stone Raft " and "South from Granada"] and Alejandro Amenábar ["Tesis" and "El Soñador"]. Casting About "THE SEA INSIDE" stars .......
Javier Bardem ["Not Just Love, Just Frenzy", "Dance with the Devil", "Second Skin", "Before Night Falls" and "Collateral"]; Belén Rueda ["Retruc"]; Mabel Rivera ["El Bosque animado" and "Inútil"]; Tamar Novas ["Butterfly's Tongue"]; Federico Pérez Rey ["The Sea Inside"]; Celso Bugallo ["Butterfly's Tongue", "Mondays in the Sun", "Lentura" and "Your Next Life"]; Clara Segura ["Mundos" and "Excuses!"]; Joan Dalmau ["Secrets of the Heart", "Don't Cry Germaine", "Gloria" and "Soldiers of Salamina"] and Lola Dueñas ["Everything Happens to Me", "Stones", "Talk To Her" and "Soccer Days"] as Rosa. What It's All About

"A magical film about many forms of love and about the energy of life." Liz Braun JAM! MOVIES

Ramón Sampedro is a happy, vibrant young Galicean man who loves the sea and loves to dive. Until fate deals him a terribly cruel blow. At his favourite spot, Sampedro does what he has done countless times before, with precision and timing. He dives into the water. But this time, for some reason, the water suddenly receedes. It is too shallow. It is too late for Sampedro. Ramón's head hits the sandy bottom and snaps back breaking his spine. Unconcious he floats to the surface. Now after nearly three descades confined to his bed as a quadriplegic, all Sampedro wants to do is end his life. He can do that any time he likes. Sampedro wants to do it legally. He wants to die with dignity. Given the right to make his own choice and act upon it. While his Father, brother, nephew and others come to grips with his decision, Sampedro explores the legal channels open to him with the help of a group known as DMD; Derecho a Morir Dignamente or Right to Die with Dignity, which is headed by Lawyer Gené who also faces a bleak future due to an illness which sees her suffering from uncontrolable strokes. Against great sentiment and flying in the face of his families wishes, Ramón Sampedro pursues his cause. The Verdict "You can't go wrong with a film like this, after all, they don't just give Oscar ® away for the fun of it at the annual Academy Award ® presentation. And while I know I harp on about it, please don't be stubborn and miss "The Sea Inside" because it is a foreign language film and it comes with subtitles. The right to die theme will strike a real chord with some viewers. This is a timely and beautiful film and one which many cinemagoers will relate to. No hesitation in giving "The Sea Inside" my highest commendation. Highly Recommended viewing." The Cast

Javier Bardem Belén Rueda Lola Dueñas Mabel Rivera Celso Bugallo Clara Segura Joan Dalmau Alberto Jiménez Tamar Novas Francesc Garrido José María Pou Alberto Amarilla Andrea Occhipinti Federico Pérez Rey Nicolás Fernández Luna Raúl Lavisier Xosé Manuel Olveira 'Pico' César Cambeiro Xosé Manuel Esperante Yolanda Muiños Adolfo Obregón José Luis Rodríguez Julio Jordán Juan Manuel Vidal Marta Larralde

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Ramón Sampedro Julia Rosa Manuela José Gené Joaquín Germán Javier 'Javi' Sampedro Marc Padre Francisco Hermano Andrés Santiago Driver Cristian Samuel Judge Judge Reporter Reporter Ejecutivo Presentador Encuadernador Ramón's Friend Girl on Beach

The Crew Directed by Alejandro Amenábar Screenplay by Alejandro Amenábar and Mateo Gil Produced by Alejandro Amenábar & Fernando Bovaira Original Music by Alejandro Amenábar Non-Original Music by Mozart/Puccini/Wagner/Beethoven Cinematography by Javier Aguirresarobe Film Editing by Alejandro Amenábar Casting by Luis San Narciso Production Design by Benjamín Fernández Art Direction by Benjamín Fernández Costume Design by Sonia Grande Run Time 126 minutes Rated M 15+ [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Fine Line Features - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved