Italian
The San Sebastian Film Festival: A celebration of Spanish cinema and women auteurs
The San Sebastian Film Festival, the biggest film event in the Spanish-speaking world, has unveiled a packed lineup of Spanish titles that is strong on women auteurs, led by Iciar Bollaín, Pilar Palomero, Paula Ortiz, and Alauda Ruiz de Azua. These directors are now stepping up in scale or industry backing as big SVOD players – Movistar Plus+, Prime Video – move into the production of Spanish movies aimed at theatrical release or back their original series.
Main competition: A showcase of powerful narratives
Iciar Bollaín’s “I Am Nevenka”
Vying in the main competition, Bollaín’s “I Am Nevenka” looks like the first film to see the light of day from six auteur event movies co-produced by Movistar Plus+ and directed by leading cinematographic talent such as Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Alberto Fernández. This film is inspired by a landmark sexual harassment case in Spain, taking place way back in 2001, weaving a narrative of power, gender discrimination, and the courage to stand alone. Watch the trailer.
Pilar Palomero’s “Glimmers”
Goya and San Sebastian winner Pilar Palomero (“Schoolgirls,” “La Maternal”) competes in the main competition with “Glimmers” (“Destellos”), a relationship drama backed by Misent Producciones and Inicia Films, Palomero’s regular producer, as well as Mod Producciones. The film features a top-notch Spanish cast led by Patricia López Arnaíz and Antonio de la Torre, driving the tale of a woman asked by her daughter to care for her father, the hospitalized ex-husband she has not seen for 15 years. Watch the trailer.
Pedro Martín Calero’s “The Wailing”
“The Wailing” (“El llanto”) is another strong contender in the main competition. The film, lead produced by on-the-rise Madrid production house Caballo Films, is the feature debut of Martín Calero. The narrative follows Andrea, who begins to hear the wailing that stalked Camila and Marie 20 years ago. Watch the trailer.
Special screenings: Highlighting unique voices
Paula Ortiz’s “The Red Virgin”
A Special Screening, “The Red Virgin” (aka “Hildegart”) is directed by Paula Ortiz, who helmed “Across the River and Into the Trees” with Josh Husherton and Liev Shreiber. Ortiz returns to Spanish filmmaking with a real events inspired drama which will debut in theaters across Spain on Sept. 27 as the first Prime Video original to get a wide theatrical release in the country. Watch the trailer.
Javier Giner and Elena Trapé’s “I, Addict”
“I, Addict” is an autobiographical story of how director Giner voluntarily entered a rehab center at 30 years old, suffering the darkest moments of his life, and came out a new person. This film promises to be a raw and intimate portrayal of addiction and recovery. Watch the trailer.
Out of competition: Exploring new dimensions
Alauda Ruiz de Azua’s “Querer”
Having broken out with her feature debut “Lullaby,” Alauda Ruiz de Azúa directs the highest-profile series at San Sebastián, “Querer.” Set in the current day and laced by genre drive as both courtroom drama and psychological thriller, “Querer” begins when Miren, after more than 30 years of marriage and two sons, abandons the family home and goes to a police station with her lawyer to denounce her husband for decades of sexual abuse. Watch the trailer.
David Pérez Sañudo’s “Los últimos románticos”
Among Spanish titles, further highlights look set to include “Los últimos románticos” from David Pérez Sañudo (“Ane is Missing”). This genre-blending tale follows a withdrawn hypochondriac who finds a new sense of identity and source of public respect during a labor dispute which breaks out at her local paper mill in a blue-collar town near the Basque city of Bilbao. Watch the trailer.
New directors: Fresh perspectives
Antón Alvarez’s “La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortes”
A portrait of young flamenco guitarist Cortés, at the cutting edge of current flamenco innovation, “La guitarra flamenca de Yerai Cortes” promises to be a vibrant and soulful exploration of contemporary flamenco. Watch the trailer.
Sandra Romero’s “Por donde pasa el silencio”
With “The Wailing,” one of the awaited Spanish feature debuts of the year, “Por donde pasa el silencio” is a feature-length reimagining of Romero’s short of the same title. The story follows a man who returns to his rural town, having forged a life in Madrid, to help his twin brother. Watch the trailer.
Horizontes Latinos: A window to Latin American cinema
Iair Said’s “Most People Die on Sundays”
A dark family comedy that follows David, a 30-something, chubby, shiftless student who returns from studying in Italy for a family funeral in Buenos Aires. There, he learns that his mother has decided to take his father, who has been in an extended coma, off life support. Watch the trailer.
Sofía Paloma Gómez’s “Maybe It’s True What They Say About Us”
Based on true events, this film recounts the story of Ximena, a successful psychiatrist whose prodigal daughter Tamara returns to her after being cut off for years as a member of a cult. The reunion is far from a happy one, as Tamara’s newborn baby disappeared under strange circumstances while she was still with the sect, incurring a police investigation. Watch the trailer.
Velodromo: Celebrating versatility
Diego San José’s “Celeste”
Carmen Machi, once buttoned-holed as a comedian but now recognized as one of Spain’s most versatile performers, plays a tax inspector who, after years of humdrum work, has the chance to catch a high-profile tax invader, going out in glory. Watch the trailer.
The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival runs from Sept. 20-28, promising a rich tapestry of narratives that reflect the diverse and dynamic nature of Spanish and Latin American cinema. As the festival unfolds, it will be fascinating to see how these stories resonate with audiences and critics alike, offering a glimpse into the evolving landscape of film and television.
