Emerging talent in Spanish cinema: Jordi Boquet Claramunt’s “Laughing”

A new voice in the cinematic landscape

Madrid’s ECAM Incubator has long been a cradle for emerging talent in the film industry. This year, one standout project is “Laughing” (“Riure”), the feature debut of Jordi Boquet Claramunt. Developed in collaboration with Pausa Dramàtica Films and Fractal, this film delves into the world of the circus, exploring themes of family, identity, and belonging.

A promising collaboration

Claramunt, who previously won a Gaudi Award for his short film “Neither Forget Nor Forgive,” reunites with producer Anna Moragriega Farrés, co-founder of Pausa Dramàtica alongside Olga Doganoc. Their partnership aims to bring a fresh perspective to the screen, blending personal storytelling with broader societal themes.

The story of Lola

Currently in development, “Laughing” centers on Lola, a young clown raised in her family’s dwindling circus. A pivotal moment occurs when a trained horse accidentally injures a child during a performance. Claramunt describes the film as “the story of a modern little mermaid, lived through the eyes of Lola, a young clown who has grown up in her parents’ circus, but who is eager to find her own path away from a circus tent she feels no longer represents her.” He adds, “To put it simply, it’s the story of a clown who has lost her desire to laugh or keep making people laugh.”

A collapsing world

The once-thriving circus business is now on the brink of collapse. Lola questions the value of inheriting a decaying circus where she feels unheard and decides to seek new creative opportunities outside. “She wonders if there is really a point in inheriting a decaying circus where she doesn’t feel listened to and decides to look for new creative opportunities outside,” Claramunt explains.

A journey of self-discovery

Lola’s journey takes her to a drama acting school in the city, where she feels more listened to and creatively empowered. Here, she meets people her age with similar dreams and aspirations. However, she also encounters a society that is more individualistic, cynical, and full of masks, contrasting sharply with the communal lifestyle of her family circus.

Immersive research

Co-written by Boquet Claramunt and Tomàs Bayo Encontra, “Laughing” explores generational conflict within a tight-knit, outsider world. Claramunt’s research has been immersive: “This summer, I have been living and working with an active family circus, setting up the tent and living in a small van. This has made me realize how hard and demanding it is to have a circus nowadays: Facing harsh outer criticism, increasing bureaucracy, and the competition of newer and more comfortable forms of art.”

The journey of production

Producer Farrés elaborates on the project’s journey, highlighting the support from ECAM: “We have participated in several script labs, and the Incubator has provided the necessary support for the production and design aspects of our film. In 2022, we were part of the FaberLlull Residence and the SGAE Foundation Script Lab.”

Pausa Dramàtica Films, founded by Farrés and Doganoc, leads the film’s development. “The team we’ve formed, along with co-writer Tomàs Bayo Encontra, holds deep significance for me and my production company. This partnership has inspired both me and my partner, Olga Doganoc, to promote new voices who may be our friends or young talents who share our values,” Farrés says.

A voice for a generation

The filmmaker hopes “Laughing” will resonate with a generation facing an uncertain future. “At a time where anything is possible but everything seems impossible at the same time, Lola delves into a fight between her desire to find her own ambitious path and the constant frustration of feeling she doesn’t belong anywhere or no one really understands her, a feeling I think resonates with people of my generation,” Claramunt reflects.

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