Original score and songs from the 2024 drama feature film directed by Ibon Cormenzana, starring Dani Rovira, Susana Abaitua, Elena Irureta and Pablo Scapigliati, produced by Arcadia Motion Pictures and released by A Contracorriente Films (Spain).

THE STORY: Andrés, a music teacher who works in Madrid, has to move to a Basque town to work as a substitute teacher in a high school. Already in his 40s and never having overcome stage fright, he feels that his new life is taking him away from the dream of being a musician. When he gets there, on his first day of school he faints because of a loud ringing in his ear: it’s cancer.

THE SCORE: “For this film, I wanted to craft music that exudes simplicity while embedding unforgettable, lyrical melodies. The delicate strains of the accordina introduce the film’s main theme, shadowing the journey of the protagonist, a musician grappling with a debilitating hearing condition. In moments of sorrow and loss, the mournful bandoneon and baroque guitar draw listeners into a nuanced emotional tapestry, creating an intimate dialogue between sound and sentiment. I used an array of plucked string instruments such as the lute, theorbo, euskelele (Basque ukulele), archlute, guiterna, and lavta. Stripped-down moments, where a lone voice accompanied by a guiterna captures the essence of life’s simplicity, add a poignant rawness. Manuela Vellés’ haunting vocals on prophetic songs illuminate the path to hope, infusing the score with a vibrant energy. She is joined by renowned actor Dani Rovira, who makes a memorable musical debut, adding his vocal talents to these evocative pieces.” – Paula Olaz

THE COMPOSER: Paula Olaz, an esteemed composer hailing from Pamplona, Spain, possesses a remarkable and distinctive musical voice that resonates uniquely within the realm of film soundtracks. Her compositions are imbued with an originality that stems from her profound grasp of the psychology of music. Having ventured to Amsterdam at 19, Paula’s European odyssey led her through France, Germany, and Switzerland, expanding her musical horizons. A graduate of Berklee College of Music, where she studied film scoring, Paula’s technical prowess is matched by her dedication to teaching, evident through her work as a Graduate Assistant in Berklee’s Campus Tech Lab. Now based in San Sebastián, Paula infuses her compositions with a belief in music’s transformative potential, wielding her craft with devotion and an idealistic spirit. Her portfolio boasts scores for over 30 films, showcasing her versatility and collaboration skills. Her scores for Nora, Beyond the Summit (La Cima), Alguien que cuide de mí and Verano en rojo have been released by MovieScore Media.

MMS24030 EL BUS DE LA VIDA (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack)
Original Score Composed by PAULA OLAZ
Original Songs by MANUELA VELLÉS, ALEX MORENO & PABLO FERGUS
Release date: July 3, 2024