Controversy occurred over the casting of predominantly white English-speaking actors in a Latin American period film. Producer Bernd Eichinger defended the decision on the basis that the film needed internationally recognized actors. The film’s premiere in the U.S. was met with protests from Latino actors over the casting issue. Filming Principal photography took place in Denmark, with some scenes filmed in Lisbon and Alentejo, Portugal, from January 1993 to April. Release The film premiered in Germany in October 1993 as a 145-minute theatrical cut that was also released in Switzerland, The Netherlands, and Scandinavia. The film was released in the United States on April 1, 1994 in a 132-minute cut version. Reception The film has a 32% rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 38 reviews. The website’s consensus states: "An enviable collection of sterling actors are all woefully miscast in The House of the Spirits, a plodding saga of magical realism that lacks much magic or realism." Two oft-cited reasons for the poor critical reception were its diffusely episodic structure and the casting of mostly Anglo actors in Latin American roles. The film grossed $6 million in the United States and more than $55 million in Europe. Angle Errigo of Empire gave The House of the Spirits two out of five stars and stated that: "If this had been a Latin American production, one might have been more generous towards the fumblings of a fairly fetching saga; given the talents involved, the film's hesitations in style and consistent failure to really move must be counted as a major disappointment." Awards and nominations The film won multiple awards: Bavarian Film Awards, German Film Awards, the Golden Screen (Germany), Havana Film Festival, and Robert Awards (Denmark), the German Phono Academy, and the Guild of German Art House Cinemas. 1994 Bavarian Film Award for Best Costume Design (Barbara Baum) Won 1994 Bavarian Film Award for Best Production (Bernd Eichinger) Won 1994 German Film Award in Gold for Outstanding Individual Achievement: Over All Concept (Bernd Eichinger) Won 1994 German Phono Academy Echo Award for Film Music of the Year (Hans Zimmer) Won 1994 Guild of German Art House Cinemas Award (Gold) for German Film (Bille August) Won 1994 Havana Film Festival Coral Award for Best Work of a Non-Latin American Director on a Latin America Subject (Bille August) Won 1994 Robert Award for Best Editing (Janus Billeskov Jansen) Won 1994 Robert Award for Best