The Sweet Taste of Success
(El dulce sabor del éxito)
Emanuele Giusto, Carlos Tejeda | Documentary
2021 | 75 minutes | Spain
An intimate reflection on the concept of success, with an extraordinary main character and interviews with internationally renowned figures.
Synopsis
A nuanced exploration of the complex interplay between fame, aging, and the notion of success, centered on the life of María Teresa Paniagua, a former Zarzuela singer who once enjoyed widespread acclaim but now, at 89, lives alone in a traditional Madrid neighborhood. The film juxtaposes Paniagua’s present-day life, marked by solitude yet characterized by a resilient and positive outlook, with her illustrious past, inviting reflection on the fleeting nature of fame.
In parallel, the documentary features in-depth interviews with a range of internationally renowned figures, including Plácido Domingo, Rossy de Palma, Leo Bassi, Alberto García-Alix, Fernando Savater, and Matthieu Ricard.
This documentary not only serves as a portrait of Paniagua’s life but also functions as a critical commentary on the transient nature of public recognition and the existential challenges that accompany aging, making it a rich text for examining the intersections of art, identity, and social value.
Reviews
"A very interesting film. I firmly believe that cinema still has the power to change things for the better and surprise the audience. It has been quite a surprise. The soundtrack stands out." — José López Pérez, No Solo Cine
"A wonderful and creative documentary… We all left the screening moved... An exquisite soundtrack." — José Ángel Barrueco, Culturama, The Kankel
Citation
Main credits
Giusto, Emanuele (film director)
Giusto, Emanuele (screenwriter)
Tejeda, Carlos (film director)
Paniagua, María Teresa (on-screen participant)
Other credits
Cinematography, Emanuele Giusto, Carlos Tejeda; editing, Emanuele Giusto; music, Antonio Lo Riso.
Citation
Cataloging
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
International Documentary Festival of Ierapetra Awards; Impact DOCS Awards - Award of Merit for its “cinematographic, artistic and impactful component”; Peachtree Village International Film Festival; Something Wicked DocuFest; Cinque Ports International Documentary Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Emanuele Giusto, Carlos Tejeda
NATIONALITY: Spain
YEAR: 2021
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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