Mario Casas Shines in Gerard Oms’ Debut Film, ‘Away’

The 2025 drama film Away (Catalan: Molt lluny) marks the feature film directorial debut of Gerard Oms, and stars Mario Casas in a critically acclaimed performance. The film explores themes of identity, displacement, and finding oneself amidst personal and economic hardship.

Plot Summary

Away follows Sergio, a Spaniard living in Utrecht, Netherlands, who experiences a sudden urge to remain in the country after traveling there with his family for a football match. Feigning a panic attack, he severs ties with his past and embarks on a journey of self-discovery. The film depicts his struggle to survive without money, friends, a home, or fluency in the local language, as he attempts to reconcile with his queer identity.

Cast and Crew

The film features a talented cast, including:

• Mario Casas as Sergio
• David Verdaguer as Manel
• Ilyass El Ouahdani as Yusuf
• Jetty Mathurin
• Hanneke van der Paardt
• Reinout de Vey Mestdagh
• Raúl Prieto as Miguel
• Nausicaa Bonnín

Key crew members include:

• Directed by: Gerard Oms
• Written by: Gerard Oms
• Produced by: Carles Torras, Sergio Adrià
• Cinematography: Edu Canet Ciscar
• Edited by: Neus Ballús
• Music by: Sílvia Pérez Cruz

Production and Release

Away is a co-production between Spanish company Zabriskie Films and Dutch company Revolver Amsterdam. It premiered at the 28th Málaga Film Festival on March 16, 2025, and had its theatrical release in Spain on April 11, 2025, distributed by BTeam Pictures.

Mario Casas’ Award and the Director-Actor Collaboration

Mario Casas received the 2025 Gaudí Award for Best Leading Actor for his performance in Away. The film represents a significant collaboration between Casas and Oms, who previously worked together as director and acting coach, respectively. Oms described the film as a “late coming-of-age” story, and Casas reportedly embraced the opportunity to deconstruct his previous acting approaches under Oms’ direction.

Themes and Critical Reception

Set against the backdrop of the 2008 financial crisis, Away tackles themes of precariousness, racism, and classism. The film has been praised for its intimate portrayal of a man grappling with identity and belonging, and for Casas’ nuanced performance. Gerard Oms has noted the positive reception, expressing gratitude for the curiosity and openness with which audiences have approached the film.