The Impossible

Synopsis

A couple and three boys go on holiday in Thailand to Khao Lak , they arrive the day before the terrible Tsunami of December 26, 2004 . Surprised by the giant wave as they are in the hotel pool, they will be separated but will survive despite serious injuries. In the midst of chaos, of all those traumatized people lost and bereaved, they continue their search, do not let go and will find themselves. The end credits indicate that the film traces the story of a family who has really experienced this tragedy. This film has received a lot of positive reviews, despite its disaster film status.

Technical sheet

• Original title: Lo imposible
• French title: The Impossible
• Quebec title: The impossible
• Director: Juan Antonio Bayona
• Scenario: Sergio G. Sánchez
• Artistic direction: Eugenio Caballero
• Sets: Dídac Bono
• Costumes:
• Photography: Óscar Faura
• Sound: Oriol Tarragó
• Editing: Elena Ruiz and Bernat Vilaplana
• Music: Fernando Velázquez
• Production: Belén Atienza, Álvaro Augustín , Ghislain Barrois and Enrique López Lavigne
• Production company: Apaches Entertainment and Telecinco
• Budget: $ 45,000,000
• Distribution Company: Warner Bros. Pictures
• Country of Origin: Spain , United States
• Original language: English
• Format: Color – 35mm – 2.35: 1 – Digital Dolby Sound
• Genre: Catastrophe
• Duration: 114 minutes (1h 54)
• Public: Not recommended for children under 10 years
• Release date :
  •  Canada :September 2012 ( Toronto International Film Festival )
  •  Spain : October 11 , 2012
  •  France : November 21 , 2012

Distribution

• Ewan McGregor (VF: Bruno Choel ) : Henry Bennett
• Naomi Watts (VF: Hélène Bizot ) : Maria Bennett
• Tom Holland (VF: Jeremy Berguig ) : Lucas Bennett, eldest son of Maria and Henry
• Samuel Joslin (VF: Henri Boisseau ) : Thomas Bennett, youngest son of Maria and Henry
• Oaklee Pendergast (VF: Alban Thuilier ) : Simon Bennett, youngest son of Maria and Henry
• Marta Etura : Simone
• Johan Sundberg : Daniel
• Geraldine Chaplin : old lady

Source and caption : French version (VF) on RS Dubbing ¹ and AlloDoublage ²

Distinctions

Awards

• National Board of Review Awards 2012 : Tom Holland’s best male prospect
• Hollywood Film Festival 2012 : Spotlight Award for Tom Holland
• Palm Springs International Film Festival : Desert Palm Achievement Award for Naomi Watts
• Phoenix Film Critics Society : Best Young Actor for Tom Holland
• Capri Awards 2012: Best Director and Best European Director Award for Juan Antonio Bayona
• Central Ohio 2013 Film Critics Association Awards : Best Actress for Naomi Watts
• London Film Critics Circle Awards 2013 : UK’s Hope of the Year for Tom Holland
• Premios Goyas 2013 :
  • Best director for Juan Antonio Bayona
  • Best editing
  • Best sound
  • Best visual effects
• Gaudí Award 2013 :
  • Best European film
  • Best director for Juan Antonio Bayona
  • Best editing
  • Best photography
  • Best sound
  • Best hairstyle and makeup
• International Film Music Critics Association Awards 2012 : Music composition of a film for The Impossible Main Title

Appointments

• Art Directors Guild Awards 2012 : Best Artistic Direction
• Chicago Film Critics Association Awards 2012 : Best Actress for Naomi Watts
• Dallas-Fort Worth Film Critics Association Awards 2012 : Best Actress for Naomi Watts
• Detroit Film Critics Society Awards 2012 :
  • Best film
  • Best director for Juan Antonio Bayona
  • Best Actress for Naomi Watts
  • Best Supporting Actor for Ewan McGregor
• Houston Film Critics Society Awards 2012 : best actress for Naomi Watts
• Las Vegas Movie Critics Society Awards 2012 : Best Movie
• San Diego Movie Critics Society Awards 2012 : Best Actress for Naomi Watts
• Washington DC Area Movie Critics Association Awards 2012 : Best hope for Tom Holland
• AACTA Awards 2013 : Best International Actress for Naomi Watts
• Critics’ Choice Movie Awards 2013 :
  • Best Actress for Naomi Watts
  • Best hope for Tom Holland
• Golden Globes 2013 : Best Actress in a Drama for Naomi Watts
• Premios Goyas 2013 :
  • Best film
  • Best Actress for Naomi Watts
  • Best Supporting Actor for Ewan McGregor
  • Best hope for Tom Holland
  • Best Original Screenplay for Sergio G. Sánchez
  • Best photography for Óscar Faura
  • Best makeup and hairstyles
  • Best Music for Fernando Velázquez
• Oscars 2013 : best actress for Naomi Watts
• Screen Actors Guild Awards 2013 : best actress for Naomi Watts
• European Film Awards 2013 :
  • People’s Choice Award
  • Best Actress for Naomi Watts

Notes and references