Contestant, The

When a poorly paid departmental assistant and economics teacher wins a general knowledge contest that pays the biggest prize ever offered in the history of television, he finds himself reconsidering the views he previously imposed on his students and fellow faculty members in director Rodrigo Cortés' dark comedy. Martín Circo Martín (Leonardo Sbaraglia) has just won three million Euros on a television quiz show, but as always there's a catch: Martín's sizable cash prize will be received as "payment in kind." Of course it doesn't take Martín long to realize that he can't really afford to enjoy his winnings, and that being wealthy can cost a pretty penny. Later, as economic illusions, unsavory banking schemes, a parasitic sycophants begin to take their toll on the increasingly cynical Martín, the winner gradually finds himself assuming the role of economic dissident. (official distributor synopsis)