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The Advertiser
11-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Advertiser
Underdog tale just the ticket in these trying times
This gentle, stirring drama is as modest in its scope as it is timely, and it is based on personal history. It's the story of a local hero who risked losing his job and earning a jail sentence as he took a courageous stand against the lack of services to his neighbourhood on the periphery of Barcelona. As government and the corporate The quixotic gesture of a bus driver in Barcelona during the 1950s has been brought to our notice by filmmaker Marcel Barrena who co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Marini. The director's most recent film, about refugees who cross the sea to reach Europe, was another tale preserving the human dignity of people who are struggling. Mediterraneo was also a drama inspired by a real-life story, that of a Barcelona lifeguard instrumental in the establishment of an NGO for rescuing migrants on the open sea. As the lead character, actor Eduard Fernandez comfortably filled the frame and does the same here too, as bus driver Manolo Vital, a man of dignity and warmth. In flight with his teenage daughter from the Falangists in the Extremadura region in the country's west, Vital and a group of political refugees settled on the outskirts of Barcelona in the 1950s. It was not for the welcome they received. The city bureaucrats continued for decades to ignore the needs of the shanty dwellers on the edge of town, in the neighbourhood of Torre Baro. The construction of dwellings on the periphery of cities was apparently a common occurrence beyond Catalonia, as the country slowly moved out from under Franco's authoritarian rule. Torre Baro was, in the first place, a hasty build. Early scenes set in the 1950s, suitably sepia-toned and framed in boxy format, depict the welcome the newcomers received from the local police. They were under orders to demolish any unfinished building if it did not meet regulations in the morning. Structures went up overnight, in a flurry with queues for bricks and bags of cement, as there would be no leniency on the other side, as the police arrived. When a particularly malevolent policeman appears and returns later, and when the views of Vital's teenage daughter, Joana (Zoe Bonafonte), come the fore, the focus shifts to the deeply ingrained political divisions of modern Spain. The other woman in Vital's life is Carme, played by Clara Segura. When she emerged from the fringe community she was still a Catholic nun. When Carme fell in love with the quiet, dignified, hunky man, she left the church and became his wife and a caring stepmother to Joana. Hardship was integral to the way of life for the residents of Torre Baro, in their long wait for connection to the city's utilities. Improvements to their quality of life, such as a reliable water supply, were slow to improve, and intermittent. But it was the absence of transport service up the hill into Torre Baro that rankled. It seemed impossible to fix. Who would use such a service, the authorities asked. Why, the people who came down this morning! City authorities, typically dapper, dark and handsome and ensconced in the city's beautiful buildings, received Vital courteously, but a bus service never materialised. It was time for action, and what fun it is on board the trundling bus, El 47. This is an uplifting low-key drama. The deepfelt political conviction beneath this story of a leftist who married a nun are made explicit in the final scenes. We sensed they were there. It's just that filmmaker Barrena is a skilled and creative storyteller, investing his persuasive energies in the simple, straightforward narrative that unfolds. This gentle, stirring drama is as modest in its scope as it is timely, and it is based on personal history. It's the story of a local hero who risked losing his job and earning a jail sentence as he took a courageous stand against the lack of services to his neighbourhood on the periphery of Barcelona. As government and the corporate The quixotic gesture of a bus driver in Barcelona during the 1950s has been brought to our notice by filmmaker Marcel Barrena who co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Marini. The director's most recent film, about refugees who cross the sea to reach Europe, was another tale preserving the human dignity of people who are struggling. Mediterraneo was also a drama inspired by a real-life story, that of a Barcelona lifeguard instrumental in the establishment of an NGO for rescuing migrants on the open sea. As the lead character, actor Eduard Fernandez comfortably filled the frame and does the same here too, as bus driver Manolo Vital, a man of dignity and warmth. In flight with his teenage daughter from the Falangists in the Extremadura region in the country's west, Vital and a group of political refugees settled on the outskirts of Barcelona in the 1950s. It was not for the welcome they received. The city bureaucrats continued for decades to ignore the needs of the shanty dwellers on the edge of town, in the neighbourhood of Torre Baro. The construction of dwellings on the periphery of cities was apparently a common occurrence beyond Catalonia, as the country slowly moved out from under Franco's authoritarian rule. Torre Baro was, in the first place, a hasty build. Early scenes set in the 1950s, suitably sepia-toned and framed in boxy format, depict the welcome the newcomers received from the local police. They were under orders to demolish any unfinished building if it did not meet regulations in the morning. Structures went up overnight, in a flurry with queues for bricks and bags of cement, as there would be no leniency on the other side, as the police arrived. When a particularly malevolent policeman appears and returns later, and when the views of Vital's teenage daughter, Joana (Zoe Bonafonte), come the fore, the focus shifts to the deeply ingrained political divisions of modern Spain. The other woman in Vital's life is Carme, played by Clara Segura. When she emerged from the fringe community she was still a Catholic nun. When Carme fell in love with the quiet, dignified, hunky man, she left the church and became his wife and a caring stepmother to Joana. Hardship was integral to the way of life for the residents of Torre Baro, in their long wait for connection to the city's utilities. Improvements to their quality of life, such as a reliable water supply, were slow to improve, and intermittent. But it was the absence of transport service up the hill into Torre Baro that rankled. It seemed impossible to fix. Who would use such a service, the authorities asked. Why, the people who came down this morning! City authorities, typically dapper, dark and handsome and ensconced in the city's beautiful buildings, received Vital courteously, but a bus service never materialised. It was time for action, and what fun it is on board the trundling bus, El 47. This is an uplifting low-key drama. The deepfelt political conviction beneath this story of a leftist who married a nun are made explicit in the final scenes. We sensed they were there. It's just that filmmaker Barrena is a skilled and creative storyteller, investing his persuasive energies in the simple, straightforward narrative that unfolds. This gentle, stirring drama is as modest in its scope as it is timely, and it is based on personal history. It's the story of a local hero who risked losing his job and earning a jail sentence as he took a courageous stand against the lack of services to his neighbourhood on the periphery of Barcelona. As government and the corporate The quixotic gesture of a bus driver in Barcelona during the 1950s has been brought to our notice by filmmaker Marcel Barrena who co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Marini. The director's most recent film, about refugees who cross the sea to reach Europe, was another tale preserving the human dignity of people who are struggling. Mediterraneo was also a drama inspired by a real-life story, that of a Barcelona lifeguard instrumental in the establishment of an NGO for rescuing migrants on the open sea. As the lead character, actor Eduard Fernandez comfortably filled the frame and does the same here too, as bus driver Manolo Vital, a man of dignity and warmth. In flight with his teenage daughter from the Falangists in the Extremadura region in the country's west, Vital and a group of political refugees settled on the outskirts of Barcelona in the 1950s. It was not for the welcome they received. The city bureaucrats continued for decades to ignore the needs of the shanty dwellers on the edge of town, in the neighbourhood of Torre Baro. The construction of dwellings on the periphery of cities was apparently a common occurrence beyond Catalonia, as the country slowly moved out from under Franco's authoritarian rule. Torre Baro was, in the first place, a hasty build. Early scenes set in the 1950s, suitably sepia-toned and framed in boxy format, depict the welcome the newcomers received from the local police. They were under orders to demolish any unfinished building if it did not meet regulations in the morning. Structures went up overnight, in a flurry with queues for bricks and bags of cement, as there would be no leniency on the other side, as the police arrived. When a particularly malevolent policeman appears and returns later, and when the views of Vital's teenage daughter, Joana (Zoe Bonafonte), come the fore, the focus shifts to the deeply ingrained political divisions of modern Spain. The other woman in Vital's life is Carme, played by Clara Segura. When she emerged from the fringe community she was still a Catholic nun. When Carme fell in love with the quiet, dignified, hunky man, she left the church and became his wife and a caring stepmother to Joana. Hardship was integral to the way of life for the residents of Torre Baro, in their long wait for connection to the city's utilities. Improvements to their quality of life, such as a reliable water supply, were slow to improve, and intermittent. But it was the absence of transport service up the hill into Torre Baro that rankled. It seemed impossible to fix. Who would use such a service, the authorities asked. Why, the people who came down this morning! City authorities, typically dapper, dark and handsome and ensconced in the city's beautiful buildings, received Vital courteously, but a bus service never materialised. It was time for action, and what fun it is on board the trundling bus, El 47. This is an uplifting low-key drama. The deepfelt political conviction beneath this story of a leftist who married a nun are made explicit in the final scenes. We sensed they were there. It's just that filmmaker Barrena is a skilled and creative storyteller, investing his persuasive energies in the simple, straightforward narrative that unfolds. This gentle, stirring drama is as modest in its scope as it is timely, and it is based on personal history. It's the story of a local hero who risked losing his job and earning a jail sentence as he took a courageous stand against the lack of services to his neighbourhood on the periphery of Barcelona. As government and the corporate The quixotic gesture of a bus driver in Barcelona during the 1950s has been brought to our notice by filmmaker Marcel Barrena who co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Marini. The director's most recent film, about refugees who cross the sea to reach Europe, was another tale preserving the human dignity of people who are struggling. Mediterraneo was also a drama inspired by a real-life story, that of a Barcelona lifeguard instrumental in the establishment of an NGO for rescuing migrants on the open sea. As the lead character, actor Eduard Fernandez comfortably filled the frame and does the same here too, as bus driver Manolo Vital, a man of dignity and warmth. In flight with his teenage daughter from the Falangists in the Extremadura region in the country's west, Vital and a group of political refugees settled on the outskirts of Barcelona in the 1950s. It was not for the welcome they received. The city bureaucrats continued for decades to ignore the needs of the shanty dwellers on the edge of town, in the neighbourhood of Torre Baro. The construction of dwellings on the periphery of cities was apparently a common occurrence beyond Catalonia, as the country slowly moved out from under Franco's authoritarian rule. Torre Baro was, in the first place, a hasty build. Early scenes set in the 1950s, suitably sepia-toned and framed in boxy format, depict the welcome the newcomers received from the local police. They were under orders to demolish any unfinished building if it did not meet regulations in the morning. Structures went up overnight, in a flurry with queues for bricks and bags of cement, as there would be no leniency on the other side, as the police arrived. When a particularly malevolent policeman appears and returns later, and when the views of Vital's teenage daughter, Joana (Zoe Bonafonte), come the fore, the focus shifts to the deeply ingrained political divisions of modern Spain. The other woman in Vital's life is Carme, played by Clara Segura. When she emerged from the fringe community she was still a Catholic nun. When Carme fell in love with the quiet, dignified, hunky man, she left the church and became his wife and a caring stepmother to Joana. Hardship was integral to the way of life for the residents of Torre Baro, in their long wait for connection to the city's utilities. Improvements to their quality of life, such as a reliable water supply, were slow to improve, and intermittent. But it was the absence of transport service up the hill into Torre Baro that rankled. It seemed impossible to fix. Who would use such a service, the authorities asked. Why, the people who came down this morning! City authorities, typically dapper, dark and handsome and ensconced in the city's beautiful buildings, received Vital courteously, but a bus service never materialised. It was time for action, and what fun it is on board the trundling bus, El 47. This is an uplifting low-key drama. The deepfelt political conviction beneath this story of a leftist who married a nun are made explicit in the final scenes. We sensed they were there. It's just that filmmaker Barrena is a skilled and creative storyteller, investing his persuasive energies in the simple, straightforward narrative that unfolds.
Daily Record
22-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Daily Record
Stubborn sofa stains will vanish with £1 item
They are impossible to avoid and can be difficult to remove but one item can help Sofa stains can be a real eyesore and can be tough to shift if they aren't tackled with the right products. It's near impossible to avoid the odd spillage or stain on your sofa, especially if you have children in your home. While severe stains may have to be removed professionally, an expert has shared tips for banishing common stains, including ink, chocolate and red wine marks, at home for a fraction of the price. Joana Sadovskaja, Sofa Expert at Lovesofas, said washing-up liquid, which can be bought for as little as £1, can be a life-saver when tackling tough marks on your couch. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Joana's top tips for removing stains Ink stains Ink stains can be difficult to remove - especially permanent markers. These stains should be addressed immediately, as the longer you leave it, the harder it is to remove completely. Rubbing alcohol and white vinegar are great solutions for tackling ink stains. Start by gently blotting the stain to remove as much ink as possible, then apply rubbing alcohol to the affected area using a fresh cloth or paper towel. Alternatively, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water and apply to the stain using a clean cloth. These cleaning solutions should lift the stain, eliminating any traces of ink. These solutions can be used on materials including cotton, linen, wool, polyester, chenille, nylon, and velvet. However, use them with caution and always check the sofa's care tag. Avoid using them on leather, as the harsh chemicals can damage the sofa's finish. Instead, use mild dish soap and warm water to remove ink stains from leather sofas. Red wine stains Red wine is an unfortunate stain, as the liquid's rich pigment and tannins rapidly set into the fabric and can become permanent if left untreated. Tackle this stain using baking soda and white vinegar. Firstly, pour baking soda over the affected area, before applying vinegar. Leave the solutions to sit until a foam develops. Rinse the area with a damp cloth, repeating the process until the stain is lifted. Alternatively, mix 1/2 teaspoon of dish soap with 2 cups of water, using a clean cloth to blot the stain. A white vinegar-based solution is safe to use sparingly on most materials, although, this should be avoided on leather, suede, or velvet sofas. Coffee stains There is a solution for removing coffee stains if you act fast. Address the stain immediately by blotting the affected area with a clean cloth or paper towel. This should remove the excess liquid before treating the stain. Mix mild dish soap with water to create a cleaning solution and apply to the stain using a clean cloth. Blot the affected area and repeat the process until the coffee has transferred from the upholstery onto the cloth. Alternatively, mix equal parts white vinegar and water, using a clean cloth to dab the solution onto the stain. Dish soap and water effectively remove stains on most sofas, however, always check the care tag. Chocolate stains Chocolate is one of the most awkward stains due to its fast-spreading nature. If this occurs, address the mess immediately. Start by scraping as much of the chocolate as possible, using a spoon or butter knife. Mix 1 tablespoon of dish soap with 2 cups of cold water. Dab the solution to the affected area with a clean cloth. Repeat the process until the stain is lifted, then use a dry cloth to absorb excess moisture. This method will work for most materials, however, avoid using too much water and always check the sofa's care tag.
