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Family drama

Summer 1993 (2018): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Summer 1993 (2018) movie poster

Summer 1993 is a 2018 family drama directed by Carla Simón, starring Laia Artigas as Frida, Bruna Cusí and David Verdaguer. It runs 1 hour 37 minutes and earned $3 million worldwide on a $960,000 budget. It won 9 awards from 21 nominations, including Best Director at the Gaudí Awards 2018. Critics gave it 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10.

IMDb rating
7.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
100%
worldwide gross
$3M
awards won
9
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Summer 1993 (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 37m (97 min)
Director
Carla Simón
Genres
Drama , Family
Original language
Catalan
Budget
$960K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Summer 1993 About?

The premise of Summer 1993 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

During the summer of 1993, a young girl named Frida experiences a significant change in her life after the loss of her parents. Living in a beautiful Catalan province, she struggles to adapt to her new guardians while also caring for her younger sister. Amidst the challenges of country life and feelings of jealousy, Frida's innocence leads her to run away. However, joyful family moments—from festive celebrations to lively garden parties filled with jazz music—offer solace and help them find a sense of harmony.

Summer 1993 Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • childhood trauma
  • mother daughter relationship
  • orphan
  • little girl
  • year 1993
  • death of mother
  • loss
  • family relationships
  • loss of mother
  • semi autobiographical
  • catalonia
  • toddler
+38 more
  • grandparent
  • loss of father
  • title directed by female
  • 1990s
  • spain
  • farmhouse
  • rural setting
  • giant
  • present
  • grandmother
  • night
  • dancing
  • plaster cast
  • broken arm
  • two in a bathtub
  • taking a bath
  • applying lipstick
  • lipstick on face
  • doctor
  • doll
  • summer
  • 6 year old
  • f rated
  • europe
  • girl wears a swimsuit
  • girl wears underwear
  • female frontal nudity
  • brief female full frontal nudity
  • female nudity
  • female full frontal nudity
  • power outage
  • thunderstorm
  • cat
  • glass of milk
  • swimming
  • father daughter relationship
  • daughter
  • grandfather
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Cast & crew

Summer 1993 Cast & Characters

Laia Artigas leads the cast as Frida, with Bruna Cusí as Marga and David Verdaguer as Esteve. Directed by Carla Simón; 10 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Summer 1993

· 6 more
From the director

More from Carla Simón

More films directed by Carla Simón, best-rated first: Romería, Alcarràs, Romería and If Then Else.

Full filmography
Ratings

Summer 1993 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Summer 1993 100% on Rotten Tomatoes and 81 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 7.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 83/100, strongest in character & emotion (90) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

83 /100

Summer 1993 Echo Score Breakdown

Summer 1993 excels in its understated portrayal of childhood grief, anchored by sensitive direction and authentic performances. The film’s minimalist narrative emphasizes emotional truth over dramatic events, allowing the careful pacing and intimate cinematography to draw viewers into Frida’s perspective. While its deliberate tempo tests conventional plot expectations, the consistent tonal cohesion and nuanced character work maintain engagement throughout. The result is a quietly powerful meditation on loss and resilience that resonates long after the credits, offering a cohesive, thoughtfully crafted cinematic experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 85

    In terms of art and craft, Summer 1993 employs restrained yet expressive direction and cinematography to evoke a child’s inner world. The sun-drenched visuals and measured editing underscore the film’s contemplative tone, though occasional elliptical cuts can slow momentum. Overall, the production design and visual style coalesce into a compelling and coherent artistic framework.

  • Character & Emotion 90

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film is carried by deeply authentic performances, especially from its young leads. The child actors convey complex feelings through subtle gestures, supported by a nurturing ensemble cast. Emotional resonance remains strong throughout, and the clear chemistry among characters heightens the depiction of familial bonds and individual grief.

  • Story & Flow 70

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative unfolds with a gentle, episodic structure that prioritizes emotional moments over conventional plot developments. While this approach fosters an intimate view of Frida’s inner journey, the deliberate pacing and lack of dramatic peaks may feel uneven to some viewers. Ultimately, the narrative’s authenticity sustains engagement throughout.

  • Sensory Experience 85

    When it comes to sensory experience, the film’s sound design and visual palette work in unison to reflect a child’s sensory perception. Ambient sounds and an understated soundtrack enhance the quiet tension, while the cohesive, sunlit imagery provides a rich, tactile atmosphere. This sensory consistency amplifies the film’s immersive qualities effectively.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    In terms of rewatch factor, Summer 1993 offers lasting appeal through its emotional subtlety and nuanced details. The film’s slow pacing and introspective focus may limit repeated viewings for some audiences, yet its understated performances and carefully crafted visuals invite deeper reflection on subsequent viewings. The rewatch value lies in uncovering hidden emotional layers.

Plot

Summer 1993 Plot Summary

What happens in Summer 1993 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 5-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Frida, Laia Artigas, moves from Barcelona to a quiet countryside home to live with her adoptive parents, Marga and Esteve. The journey is intimate and tense at times, framed by small rituals that tether Frida to memories of her mother. Her grandmother, Isabel Rocatti, reinforces a sense of connection by teaching Frida the family prayer and handing over a card from Frida’s mother’s first communion, a keepsake that mirrors the mother’s presence in the child’s life. Soon after settling in, Frida discovers a statue of the Virgin Mary tucked away in a dirt-cleared space in the woods, a recurring motif throughout the film. She returns to this spot often, leaving tiny offerings—cigarettes, and a polka-dotted garment—as tokens for a mother she can barely remember.

Full summary

The whole story of Summer 1993, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Summer 1993 Box Office & Budget

Summer 1993 grossed $3 million worldwide on a $960,000 budget, 3.2 times what it cost. $185,903 came from the US and Canada and $2.8 million (94%) from the rest of the world.

2018 box office

Worldwide gross

$3M

3.2× its budget

US & Canada
$185.9K
International
$2.8M
Budget
$960K
US & Canada 6% Rest of the world 94%
Awards

Summer 1993 Awards & Nominations

Summer 1993 won 9 awards from 21 nominations, including Best Director at the Gaudí Awards 2018. Its biggest night was the Gaudí Awards 2018, with 5 wins from 14 nominations.

9 wins21 nominations2 ceremonies

Videos

Summer 1993 Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Trailer
  • Trailer Official U.S. Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Summer 1993?

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

From which city does Frida move to the countryside?

Details

Summer 1993 Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “프리다의 그해 여름” and “Sommer 1993”.

Also known as
  • 프리다의 그해 여름
  • Sommer 1993
  • 1993년 여름
  • Verão 1993
  • Verano de 1993
  • Estiu de 1993
  • 九三之夏
  • Sommeren 1993
  • Été 93
  • Ένα αξέχαστο καλοκαίρι
  • 悲しみに、こんにちは
  • '93 Yazı
+14 more
  • Verano 1993
  • Estate 1993
  • Sommeren 93
  • 九三年夏天
  • Fridas Sommer
  • Лято 1993
  • Lato 1993
  • 夏日1993
  • Лето 1993-го
  • 那年夏天,陽光燦爛
  • Vasara 1993-ieji
  • Frīdas vasara
  • Léto 1993
  • Vara lui 1993

Seen Summer 1993?

FAQ

Summer 1993 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Summer 1993, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Summer 1993?

Summer 1993 runs 1 hour 37 minutes (97 minutes).

When was Summer 1993 released?

Summer 1993 was released on May 25, 2018.

Who directed Summer 1993?

Summer 1993 was directed by Carla Simón.

More films by Carla Simón

Who is in the cast of Summer 1993?

Summer 1993 stars Laia Artigas as Frida, Bruna Cusí as Marga and David Verdaguer as Esteve, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Summer 1993 make at the box office?

Summer 1993 grossed $3 million worldwide ($185,903 domestic, $2.8 million international) on a budget of $960,000.

How is Summer 1993 rated?

Summer 1993 has 7.1/10 on IMDb, 100% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic and 71% on TMDB.

What awards did Summer 1993 win?

Summer 1993 won 9 awards from 21 nominations, including Best Director at the Gaudí Awards 2018.

Does Summer 1993 have a post-credit scene?

No. Summer 1993 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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