Taking its title from a mask dance, GO AWAY FROM ME is a satiric comedy which pits an aging actor and his estranged freeloading son in an almighty generational face-off.

Santiago (Juan Diego), a frustrated professional actor, has never played a lead role in anything, not even in his own life. But things change dramatically when his thirty-something son Guillermo (Juan Diego Botto), whom he hasn’t seen for a long time, comes to stay with him and his live-in-lover (who’s thirty years his junior) Ana (Cristina Plazas) for a few days. Their comfortable domestic routine is abruptly overturned: more upset at having a stranger in the house than touched by paternal affection, he does all he can to get rid of the handsome lad, over Ana’s protests.

By turns humorous and poignant and recalling the emotional authenticity of his 2001 debut No Pain, No Gain, Garcia Leon’s caustic comedy was a runaway critical success on its successful release in Spain, and Diego’s memorably full-bodied portrayal as the hapless father netted him numerous awards.

Comedy, Spain 2006, 90 min. (18+)
By: Víctor García León.
With: Juan Diego, Juan Diego Botto and Rosa María Sardá

Rating: 18+