Javier Bardem stars in Dark Office comedy trailer “The Good Boss” (EXCLUSIVE)

Variety got exclusive access to the international trailer for his first workplace comedy in San Sebastian, “The Good Boss,” starring Javier bardem and produced by Reposado PC and L’Atelier Médiapro.

Offbeat and ironic, “The Good Boss” by Fernando León de Aranoa is one of the most anticipated titles of this year, which will be previewed in San Sebastián and was selected this week as one of the three finalists. for the Spanish candidacy for the International Oscars of Feature Film. The buzz around the film has grown since its announcement two years ago, and with overwhelmingly positive word of mouth after several screenings in the Spanish press, the film is sure to make an impact in competition at the Basque festival.

More Variety

“The Good Boss” takes place in and around the Blancos Básculas factory, where everything must be in balance at all times. After all, they make scales of all shapes and sizes. There, the seemingly benevolent boss, Bardem’s Blanco, prepares his staff for an upcoming inspection by a group visiting local businesses to select one for a prestigious award.

However, tensions begin to mount when the recently laid off employee, Jose, shows up with his two children and begins to demand that he be reinstated in his job. When Blanco’s management team refuses, the employee embarks on an individual crusade to discredit Blanco and prevent him from winning the coveted award.

In the trailer, we see the genesis of the conflict between Blanco and a disgruntled former employee who camps right outside the factory gates, mostly, on public property. We are also introduced to Miralles, a longtime friend and Blanco employee whose personal issues negatively affect his performance at work, giving an idea of ​​how far Blanco is willing to go to support his loved ones, but also the limit of his patience. .

The story continues

Blanco’s wandering eyes and sometimes poor decision-making are also on display, as he is introduced to an attractive young intern who joins the factory’s marketing department. His incredible abilities to stay calm under pressure are also demonstrated, with a tease or two of what happens when that calm finally breaks.

“The Good Boss” is produced by Reposado PC and The Mediapro Studio with the participation of public broadcasters RTVE, TV3 and pay-TV operator Orange. It will have its world premiere on September 21 at San Sebastian Film Festival before its premiere in Spanish theaters on October 15, distributed by Tripictures.

MK2 manages international distribution and has already concluded agreements with BIM in Italy, Alamode in Germany and Austria, Cascade in the CIS and the Baltics, and Spentzos in Greece.

Lorena Jaramillo contributed to this article.

The best of variety

Sign up for Variety newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.