Mario Casas stepped into the spotlight this Monday as filming wrapped on Mi soledad tiene alas, a project that marks his debut as a screenwriter and director. The shoot took place in Madrid and highlighted a moment in his career where he chose to shepherd a behind the scenes venture while guiding his younger brother through a leading role. Óscar Casas became the face of the main character, a choice Mario describes as a bold, almost experimental move born from a clear artistic instinct.
He explains that the lead actor had to be Óscar, a decision rooted in a desire to shape his brother into the central figure of the story. The director speaks of presenting a character at twenty-three or twenty-four years old, a specific adolescence that he felt would resonate with audiences and give the narrative its strongest emotional backbone. This is the character Dan, a young man from Barcelona who leaves his working-class neighborhood behind and ventures to Madrid after a pivotal robbery. Dan’s journey becomes a personal quest as he and his friends navigate new surroundings, testing boundaries and revealing their most vulnerable selves as the film unfolds.
Written during a period of isolation by Casas and Deborah François, the project nods to quinqui cinema icons like Quick, Quick. The cast leans heavily on non-professional actors chosen for their authenticity. Óscar Casas notes that viewers will discover a truthful, pure, and raw resonance in the film’s depictions of love, friendship, and the pursuit of belonging among these young people.
The breakout co-star Candela González makes her screen debut in this film. Her character explains that working alongside Óscar and Mario has offered daily opportunities to build a character from scratch, embrace emotional fluctuations, and seek means to connect more honestly with the truth of the story.
Over more than a year of casting and three months of rehearsal, the director worked to sustain a steady emotional tempo on set. He explains that he aimed to feel the cast’s fears and insecurities, and to support them so they could perform with confidence. The process was deeply collaborative, with the director sharing the emotional ground with the actors and letting the experience evolve in a supportive environment.
Mario also chose to step back personally to avoid the looming fear of facing new, unfamiliar emotions during filming. This careful distance helped him see his brother’s performance with fresh eyes and contributed to a distinctive dynamic on set. Óscar reflects on this unwavering commitment, noting that what Mario wanted became the guiding force of the project. Their sibling bond became a practical ingredient in the filmmaking approach, turning personal trust into artistic momentum.
For Óscar, the collaboration provided more than professional validation. He speaks of a sense of kinship that transcends typical on-screen collaboration, revealing how their relationship aided the cast and the process. He emphasizes that their shared goal was not simply to perform but to feel and convey something real on screen, a measure of honesty that audiences can sense in every scene.
After earning substantial recognition through dramatic acting and a string of notable roles, Mario Casas transitions away from early popularity and romantic or comic personas. The film signals a maturation into a more troubled, introspective character, exploring darker emotional depths that expand his acting repertoire. This evolution is reflected in the broader arc of his career, marked by a willingness to take risks and to embrace challenging roles that demand a more nuanced performance, including significant achievements in film awards and collaborations with renowned directors.