The Sleeping Voice

The Sleeping Voice (Spanish: La voz dormida) is a 2011 Spanish drama film directed by Benito Zambrano based on the novel of the same name by Dulce Chacón. It stars Inma Cuesta, María León, Marc Clotet and Daniel Holguín.

Two sisters find themselves caught up in politics in the turmoil following the Spanish Civil War. The pregnant Hortensia is locked away in a crowded women's prison. Her younger sister Pepita moves from Andalusia to Madrid to be near her. In Madrid, she finds a job in a wealthy home with connections in the Francoist regime. Pepita meets young guerrilla fighter (maquis) Paulino and falls in love with him.[1]

The film was produced by Maestranza Films alongside Mirada Sur,[6] and it had support from the Spanish Ministry of Culture, the Junta de Andalucía, the Diputación de Huelva, TVE, Canal+ and Canal Sur.[7] Antonio Pérez is credited as producer and Álex Catalán as cinematographer.[3] Shooting locations included the Plaza Mayor in Madrid.[8] Around a 40% of the footage was shot in the province of Huelva.[9]

The film screened at the 59th San Sebastián International Film Festival (SSIFF).[10] Distributed by Warner Bros Entertainment España,[11] it was theatrically released on 21 October 2021.[12] The Sleeping Voice made the shortlist of three candidates for the Spanish submission to the 84th Academy Awards together with The Skin I Live In and Black Bread, but the latter film became the final choice.[13]