Alejandro González Iñárritu, the man responsible for Mexican classic Amores Perros (2000) and the more recent international productions Babel (2006) and 21 Grams (2003), is back in the director’s chair with highly anticipated Biutiful, his new film.

At the heart of Biutiful is the intimate, powerful story of Uxbal, a man who finds himself desperately alone, trying to maintain his balance between survival in a marginal neighborhood and safeguarding the future of his young children who are floating aimlessly through life.

With master magician Javier Bardem starring in the lead role of Uxbal, Biutiful does look very pretty indeed. Bardem is perhaps best known to English-speaking audiences for his recent role in the film Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) and Oscar-winning performance in No Country for Old Men (2007) as well as the internationally distributed Spanish-language drama The Sea Inside (2004). Argentine actress Maricel Álvarez is also expected to make an appearance in the film.

Shooting began in Barcelona in October 2008 and the project is now in its post-production phase. A joint venture between Spanish company Mod Producciones and several other companies, the film will be distributed in the North America by Focus Features International.

Unlike his previous works, Biutiful will feature a script written co-written by the director himself, Armando Bo and Nicolás Giacobone, a consequence of Iñárritu high-profile break-up with screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga. The film will also be the first since Amores Perros to be presented in the director’s native Spanish.

Biutiful, however, will see the return of Brokeback Mountain (2005) cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto and Academy Award winner Gustavo Santaolalla to compose the soundtrack.