Solas

Andalusian filmmaker Benito Zambrano wrote and directed Solas (released in English as Alone), a 1999 Spanish drama. His first feature, it runs about 101 minutes. It explores the lives of a mother and daughter and their fight for survival and happiness. The title is the plural of the Spanish word for "alone": both women are lonely, each in her own way.

The story follows Rosa during the short time she stays at her daughter María's house while her husband is recovering in hospital. María Galiana plays Rosa and Ana Fernández plays María, a young woman who scrapes a living from temporary work and is pregnant by a man who will not take responsibility; her only comfort is drink. Rosa cares for everyone as best she can, even the neighbour, played by Carlos Álvarez-Nóvoa, an Asturian man who finds life in society hard and gets along only with his dog Aquiles. Her patient, affectionate manner wears down her daughter's hardened heart and revives the neighbour's hopes.

The film won the Audience Award in the Panorama section at the 1999 Berlinale and won five Goya awards in 2000, among other prizes. The cast also includes Antonio Dechent, Paco Tous, Miguel Alcíbar and Mariana Cordero.