Cruelty and child abuse are the grim themes of this worthwhile drama set in Madrid. Pablo (Juan Jose Ballesta) is a silent and withdrawn 12-year-old who has the nickname El Bola or The Pellet, on account of the ballbearing he keeps rolling in his hand.

He hangs with tearaways who play a suicidally dangerous game of chicken by the railway tracks. But a level-headed new friend, Alfredo (Pablo Galan), takes him to meet his family: a loving, close-knit group who make El Bola realise all families aren't like his own - terrified people cowed by his brutal father Mariano (Manuel Moron).

Alfredo's father Jose is played by Alberto Jimenez - an intelligent, focused performance that reminded me of the excellent British actor Mark Strong.

Director Achero Manas's work is clearly derived from Loach, but with a fierce and concerted sincerity of its own.