The Platform (Film)

The Platform (El Hoyo) is a 2019 Spanish science fiction thriller film directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia. The film explores the struggle for survival and social inequality among prisoners in a vertically structured prison where food is distributed between levels.

Plot

In the vertical prison known as "The Platform," two prisoners are assigned to each level. Food is delivered once daily via a platform that descends from the top floor to the bottom. Inmates on upper levels feast greedily during the initial moments when food is abundant, but as the platform descends, the amount of food diminishes, leaving those on the lowest levels to suffer from starvation. One day, Goreng awakens on level 33 and, alongside Trimagasi—who understands the prison’s rules—struggles to survive while resolving to find a way to change this cruel system. The film aims to expose how the unequal distribution of resources affects human nature and behavior.

Thematic Structure

• Social Inequality and Class Struggle: The film uses the prison system as a microcosm of society to examine the class divisions and consequences created by the unjust distribution of resources.
• The Dark Side of Human Nature: It seeks to illustrate how hunger and the instinct for survival can push individuals to extreme limits and challenge ethical boundaries.
• Solidarity and Selfishness: The tension between individual efforts to survive and potential collective actions explores the themes of solidarity and selfishness.
• Critique of the System: The Platform system serves as a metaphorical critique of the cruelty inherent in modern social structures and capitalist systems.
• Hope and Resistance: Goreng’s attempt to change the system symbolizes the power of hope and individual resistance.

Production and Release Information

The screenplay for "The Platform," directed by Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, was written by David Desola and Pedro Rivero. The film is a Spanish production shot in Spanish, Italian, and Russian. It premiered at various film festivals in 2019 and gained international attention. It was released in the United States on 20 March 2020 and became available on platforms in Türkiye on 24 October 2022. The film’s worldwide box office revenue amounted to approximately $1,090,116.

Cast

• Ivan Massagué: Goreng
• Zorion Eguileor: Trimagasi
• Antonia San Juan: Imoguiri
• Alexandra Masangkay: Miharu
• Emilio Buale: Baharat

Awards and Nominations

"The Platform" has won a total of 12 awards and received 24 nominations. Some of its most notable awards include:

Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2019

• Midnight Madness Audience Award

European Film Awards (EFA) 2020

• Best Visual Effects (Iñaki Madariaga)

Sitges – Catalonian International Film Festival 2019

• Best Film
• Best Visual Effects (Iñaki Madariaga)
• Audience Award
• Best New Director

Goya Awards 2020

• Best Special Effects (Mario Campoy, Iñaki Madariaga)
• Best New Director (Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia) – Nominated
• Best Original Screenplay (David Desola, Pedro Rivero) – Nominated

Gaudí Awards 2020

• Best Visual Effects
• Best Screenplay – Nominated
• Best Non-Catalan Language Film – Nominated

Feroz Awards 2020

• Best Drama Film – Nominated
• Best Director (Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia) – Nominated
• Best Supporting Actress (Antonia San Juan) – Nominated
• Best Screenplay – Nominated
• Best Trailer – Nominated
• Best Poster – Nominated

CEC Medals (Círculo de Escritores Cinematográficos)

• Best New Director (Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia) – Nominated