Prison thriller 'Celda 211' sweeps Spain's Goya film awards

(AFP PHOTO / DANI POZO)

Spanish director Daniel Monzon's "Celda 211" (Cell 211), a thriller set in a prison during a mutiny, dominated Spanish cinema's Goya awards late Sunday in Madrid.

The movie, a big favourite with 16 nominations, won eight Goyas including those for best film, best director for Monzon, best actor for Luis Tozar, best supporting actress for Marta Etura, best male newcomer for Argentina's Alberto Amman, and best adaptation.

Another much-hyped film, Alejandro Amenabar's "Agora", swept seven mostly technical prizes after being in the running for best film and best director categories.

Monzon also beat Fernando Trueba ("El baile de la Victoria") and Argentina's Juan Jose Campanella ("El secreto de sus ojos") to be named top director.

"Celda 211" is based on the eponymous novel by Francisco Perez Gandul. It recounts the first day of a prison guard played by Alberto Amman who, confronted with a mutiny led by Luis Tosar, pretends to be a detainee.

The film is one of the biggest successes of Spanish cinema.

The Goya for best actress went to Spain's Lolo Duenas for her role in "Yo Tambien". She beat star Penelope Cruz in "Los Abrazos rotos" directed by Pedro Almodovar.

Argentine actress and singer Soledad Villamil won the Goya for best female newcomer for her role in "El secreto de sus ojos" which won the Goya for best Hispano-American film. It has been given a best foreign film Oscar nomination.

"Slumdog Millionaire" by Britain's Danny Boyle was chosen as best European film.

Main awards:

- Best film: "Celda 211" by Daniel Monzon

- Best director: Daniel Monzon for "Celda 211"

- Best actor: Luis Tosar in "Celda 211"

- Best actress: Lola Duenas in "Yo, tambien"

- Best supporting actor: Raul Arevalo in "Gordos"

- Best supporting actress: Marta Etura in "Celda 211"

- Best male newcomer: Alberto Amman in "Celda 211"

- Best female newcomer: Soledad Villamil in "El secreto de sus ojos"

- Best original screenplay: Alejandro Amenabar and Mateo Gil for "Agora"

- Best adaptation: Daniel Monzon and Gorge Gerricaechevarria for "Celda 211"

- Best director for a first film: Mar Coll for "Tres dias con la familia"