The orphanage

The Orphanage (Spanish title: El Orfanato) is a 2007 Spanish horror/suspense/drama film. It stars Belén Rueda as Laura, a woman who returns to the orphanage where she stayed for a period as a child. She purchases the house, with plans to turn it into a home for disabled children. Everything seems to be going well for Laura, her husband Carlos (Cayo) and their son Simón (Príncep). However, the parents soon realize their son has an imaginary friend and horror begins to unfold. The film is directed by Juan Antonio Bayona and produced by Mexican director Guillermo del Toro. The film opened at the Cannes Film Festival in May 20, 2007. It opened Spain's Sitges Film Festival on October 4, 2007. The film opened in limited release in the United States on December 28, 2007. It went into wide release in the U.S. on January 11, 2008. The Orphanage was chosen by the Spanish Academy of Films as Spain's nominee for the 2007 Academy Award for Best Foreign Film, but ultimately did not end up as one of the five final nominees in that category. The film was nominated for 14 Goya Awards, including Best Picture. It won seven. An American remake is in production.