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Animated drama

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (2019): Cast & Ratings

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (2019) movie poster

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles is a 2019 animated drama directed by Salvador Simó, starring Jorge Usón as Luis Buñuel, Pepa Gracia and Gabriel Latorre. It runs 1 hour 20 minutes and earned $185,675 worldwide on a $1.8 million budget. It earned 2 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2020. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$185.7K
award nominations
2
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Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 20m (80 min)
Director
Salvador Simó
Original language
Spanish
Studio
GKIDS
Budget
$1.8M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles About?

The premise of Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

In 1930s Paris, following a period of scandal, filmmaker Luis Buñuel receives unexpected funding from a friend who has won the lottery. This allows him to embark on a documentary project, Las Hurdes: Land Without Bread, which takes him to the remote, impoverished mountains of Spain. The journey becomes more than just a film shoot; it's a profound exploration of mortality, the human condition, and the search for artistic truth as Buñuel observes the lives of the people he is documenting.

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • surrealism
  • year 1909
  • reference to salvador dali
  • year 1930
  • 1930s
  • voice over
  • film in film
  • filming
  • film shooting
  • film director
  • film producer
  • year 1933
+38 more
  • based on real person
  • male protagonist
  • based on true story
  • luis bunuel character
  • paris france
  • flashback
  • blood
  • drum
  • movie theater
  • film projection
  • film screening
  • screening
  • scandal
  • vatican
  • telephone call
  • lighthouse
  • train
  • bus
  • shower
  • lottery winner
  • spain
  • car
  • telegram
  • rural
  • poverty
  • taxi
  • hen
  • tearing the head off a hen
  • reckless driving
  • monastery
  • gun
  • cigarette smoking
  • bad smell
  • goat
  • falling from height
  • dream sequence
  • nightmare
  • giraffe
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Cast & crew

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Cast & Characters

Jorge Usón leads the cast as Luis Buñuel, with Pepa Gracia as Madre Luis and Gabriel Latorre as Padre Luis. Directed by Salvador Simó; 11 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles

· 7 more
From the director

More from Salvador Simó

More films directed by Salvador Simó: Dragonkeeper, Descendants: The Royal Wedding, Petualangan Singa Pemberani 2 and Paddle Pop Adventures 2: Journey Into The Kingdom.

Full filmography
Ratings

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 74 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 82/100, strongest in art & craft (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (70).

82 /100

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Echo Score Breakdown

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles achieves an engrossing animated retelling of Luis Buñuel’s early career challenges. Critics consistently praise the film’s artful animation and thoughtful narrative, though some note its specialized historical focus may limit broader accessibility. User feedback highlights a compelling character arc and strong visual creativity, with occasional concerns about underdeveloped surreal sequences. While its pacing and context-driven storytelling draw in enthusiasts, the film remains an engaging hybrid of biography and animation that rewards attentive viewing.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 90

    In terms of art and craft, Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles displays exceptional hand-drawn animation and meticulous design work. Critics highlighted the film’s glorious hand-drawn sequences and intelligently detailed graphic settings. User responses also note the stylized 2D approach and inventive integration of documentary footage. This robust visual craftsmanship establishes a strong artistic foundation for the film.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film delivers nuanced portrayals and credible emotional development. Critics acknowledged the deliberate framing of Buñuel’s transformation from a prankster to an engaged anthropologist, even as some found his persona challenging. User feedback underscores realistic character growth and compelling interpersonal dynamics. Overall, the film achieves a balanced and resonant character study.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles presents a clear and engaging narrative of the making of The Land without Bread. Critics praised its elegant storytelling and thoughtful exploration of creative struggle, while some noted occasional pacing shifts. User perspectives highlight a rich, mature plot, though a few found certain contextual elements underexplored. Altogether, the story remains compelling and well-constructed.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    In terms of sensory experience, the film’s animation style and visual coherence strongly shape its impact. Critics highlighted the enlivening of surreal sequences with vivid hand-drawn imagery and praised the detailed graphic settings. Users likewise noted the inventive blend of documentary footage with animated frames. These visual strengths create a focused sensory environment that underscores the film’s thematic intentions.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    When it comes to rewatch factor, Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles offers thoughtful layers for repeat viewing, particularly through its nuanced animation and historical context. Many critics find fresh insights into Buñuel’s creative process upon subsequent encounters. User remarks suggest that some dream sequences may benefit from a second look, though the film’s focused runtime helps maintain engagement. Overall, the film sustains a moderate appeal for revisiting.

Plot

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Plot Summary

What happens in Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The controversy surrounding his debut feature, L’Age d’Or, leaves director Luis Buñuel struggling to secure new projects. In a twist of fate, anthropologist Maurice Legendre presents Buñuel with an ethnographic study focused on the Las Hurdes region of Spain, suggesting he create a documentary about this area. With the support of his friend, sculptor Ramón Acín, who buys a lottery ticket and vows to fund the film if he wins, destiny plays its hand; Ramón hits the jackpot and fulfills his promise. Consequently, Buñuel gathers a film crew in the picturesque town of La Alberca.

Full summary

The whole story of Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Box Office & Budget

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles grossed $185,675 worldwide on a $1.8 million budget, 10% of what it cost. $36,205 came from the US and Canada and $149,470 (81%) from the rest of the world.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$185.7K

10% of its budget back

US & Canada
$36.2K
International
$149.5K
Budget
$1.8M
US & Canada 19% Rest of the world 81%
Awards

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Awards & Nominations

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles earned 2 award nominations, including Best Animated Feature — Independent at the Annie Awards 2020. The 2 nominations come from 2 ceremonies.

2 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Trailers & Videos

5 videos: 3 trailers, 1 clip and 1 featurette.

Trailer
  • Trailer Official International Trailer
  • Trailer Official US Trailer
  • Clip
  • Featurette OST: Laberinto
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What film marked the turbulent aftermath for Luis Buñuel at the start of this movie?

Details

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “Buñuel i skildpaddernes labyrint” and “Buñuel w labiryncie żółwi”.

Also known as
  • Buñuel i skildpaddernes labyrint
  • Buñuel w labiryncie żółwi
  • Bunuel nel labirinto delle tartarughe
  • 布努埃尔在神龟迷宫中
  • 布纽尔的异想迷宫
  • Bunuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles
  • Buñuel après L'Âge d'or
  • Бунюэль в лабиринте черепах
  • 布努埃尔之神龟迷宫
  • Buñuel nel labirinto delle tartarughe
  • Ο Μπουνιουέλ στο Λαβύρινθο με τις Χελώνες
  • Бунюел в лабиринта на костенурките
+7 more
  • Buñuel im Labyrinth der Schildkröten
  • 布紐爾 超現實人生
  • Bunuel w labiryncie żółwi
  • 부뉴엘 인 더 라비린스 오브 더 터틀스
  • Buñuel i labryrinten av sköldpaddor
  • Buñuel v želvím labyrintu
  • Buñuel en el laberinto de las tortugas

Seen Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles?

From the blog

Articles About Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles

Our article about Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles: “Behind the Scenes: The Making of Epic Fantasy Films”.

FAQ

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles FAQ: Cast & Box Office

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles runs 1 hour 20 minutes (80 minutes).

When was Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles released?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles was released on August 16, 2019.

Who directed Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles was directed by Salvador Simó.

More films by Salvador Simó

Who is in the cast of Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles stars Jorge Usón as Luis Buñuel, Pepa Gracia as Madre Luis and Gabriel Latorre as Padre Luis, among 11 credited actors.

How much did Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles make at the box office?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles grossed $185,675 worldwide ($36,205 domestic, $149,470 international) on a budget of $1.8 million.

How is Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles rated?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 74 on Metacritic and 69% on TMDB.

Was Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles nominated for any awards?

Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles received 2 nominations across 2 ceremonies.

Does Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles have a post-credit scene?

No. Buñuel in the Labyrinth of the Turtles has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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