Marco, the Invented Truth (Spanish: Marco, la verdad inventada), or simply Marco, is a 2024 Spanish biographical thriller drama film directed by Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño starring Eduard Fernández as Enric Marco alongside Nathalie Poza.
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Plot
Primarily set in Barcelona, the plot follows the life of CNT secretary general and imposter Enric Marco, who built himself a fake past as a Nazi concentration camp survivor, gaining public recognition and sympathy.
Production
The screenplay was written by Aitor Arregi, Jon Garaño, Jorge Gil, and Jose Mari Goenaga. The film is an Irusoin, Moriarti, La verdad inventada AIE, Atresmedia Cine and Bteam Prods production, with participation and backing from ICAA, the Basque Government, Atresmedia, Movistar Plus+, and EiTB. It was lensed by Javier Agirre. Shooting locations included the Basque Country (Zarautz), Catalonia, Madrid, and Germany.
Release
Marco had its world premiere in the Orizzonti section of the 81st Venice International Film Festival on 30 August 2024. Its festival run also included screenings at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival, the 2024 BFI London Film Festival, and the 2024 Vancouver International Film Festival (for its North-American premiere). The film was released theatrically in Spain by BTeam Pictures on 8 November 2024. Film Factory acquired international sales rights. Epicentre Films scheduled a 14 May 2025 rollout in French theatres.
Reception
Marta Balaga of Cineuropa declared Marco to potentially be "one of the most watchable films at the Venice Film Festival this year" [being] "dynamic, twisted and blessed with the kind of performance by Eduard Fernández that should get him all the awards out there".
Andrea G. Bermejo of Cinemanía (also niece of Benito Bermejo) rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, writing that Eduard Fernández nails his performance.
In September 2024, the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain selected Marco for a shortlist of 3 films to determine their final submission for Best International Feature Film at the 97th Academy Awards.