We take great pride in recalling the 2014 Goya Award win for Best Makeup and Hair for the work done on *Las brujas de Zugarramurdi* (Witching & Bitching), a production directed by Álex de la Iglesia.
The award was presented to María Dolores Gómez Castro, Javier Hernández Valentín, Pedro Rodríguez «Pedrati,» and Francisco J. Rodríguez Frías, who were responsible for the film’s makeup and hair. The prize was awarded during the 28th edition of the Goya Awards, held in 2014.
Written by Álex de la Iglesia and Jorge Guerricaechevarría, the film begins with a chaotic heist at the Puerta del Sol. During their escape, the protagonists arrive in Zugarramurdi, where they fall into the clutches of a group of witches. The cast includes Hugo Silva, Mario Casas, Carmen Maura, Terele Pávez, Carolina Bang, Macarena Gómez, Pepón Nieto, and Secun de la Rosa, among others.
Character design was essential to building the film’s unique visual universe. Its blend of dark comedy, fantasy, horror, and grotesque characters required creating a distinctive look for each witch while maintaining a balance between the human, the fantastic, and the unsettling.
The makeup and hair work helped transform the actors and define their characters’ personalities through age alterations, skin textures, volume, prosthetics, hairpieces, and finishes designed to harmonize with the lighting, costumes, and art direction.
Each character look had to work in both close-ups and ensemble scenes, maintain continuity throughout filming, and allow the actors to retain their full range of expression. The result contributed decisively to the over-the-top, dark, and visually powerful atmosphere that characterizes Álex de la Iglesia’s cinema.
*Witching & Bitching* (*Las brujas de Zugarramurdi*) was one of the most awarded productions of that year’s ceremony. It won eight Goya Awards out of ten nominations, including Best Makeup and Hair, Best Special Effects, Best Art Direction, Best Costume Design, Best Editing, Best Sound, Best Production Supervision, and Best Supporting Actress for Terele Pávez.
This recognition highlighted the collaborative effort and the countless hours dedicated to the design, preparation, fabrication, and application of the character makeup. It also served as further validation of a career specializing in prosthetic makeup, character creation, and special effects for film and television.
We extend our gratitude to Álex de la Iglesia, the artistic and technical teams, the cast, and everyone involved in the production.
Thank you to everyone who made this project possible and shared in this significant recognition with us.