Italian
Exploring the ethical dilemmas and personal journeys at the San Sebastián Festival
A deep dive into the 20th Lau Haizetara Documentary Co-Production Forum
The 20th Lau Haizetara Documentary Co-Production Forum, part of the San Sebastián Festival, showcased a variety of compelling projects. These ranged from the ethical quandaries faced by an AP photojournalist to the transformation of a Spanish-Chinese gangster into a monk, and a personal journey by Eric Cantona. The forum attracted a stellar lineup of commissioning and programming executives, including Mehdi Bekkar of Al Jazeera, Sergio Ramos from AMC Networks, and Cleo Veger of Dogwoof.
The significance of the forum
The collective expertise of the attendees, which also included representatives from top outlets like Arte France, Movistar Plus+, and the Sundance Institute, underscored the forum’s importance. Elsa Rodríguez Monje, non-fiction selection and commissioning editor at Movistar Plus+, emphasized the relevance of the stories presented, stating, “This is a compulsory meeting for us. We are not so concerned by slots; what counts is for the story to be relevant to us.”
Highlighted projects
Barrabás: A photojournalist’s ethical journey
One of the standout projects was “Barrabás”, directed by Daniel Martínez-Quintanilla Pérez. This documentary partners with Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist Rodrigo Abd to delve into the contradictions of photojournalism. Abd’s journey through conflict zones is captured on a large wooden analog camera as he revisits the people and places he once photographed. The film challenges the glorified image of war journalists, questioning the role of mainstream media in global conflict coverage. Produced by Rafa Molés and Pepe Andreu of SUICAfilms, “Barrabás” merges war, ethics, and reconciliation across 12 years of world history.
From Dawn to Dawn: A gangster’s transformation
Directed by Xisi Sofia Ye Chen and produced by Lacima Producciones, The South Project, and La Fábrica Nocturna, “From Dawn to Dawn” offers a unique glimpse into the Chinese underworld in Spain. Through the lens of a sister documenting her brother’s life, A Wen – once a gangster and businessman in Barcelona – faces the pressures of his dual existence and eventually returns to a monastery in China. The film examines this dual existence, blending personal and cultural reflections, as the director explores the moral complexities of her brother’s world.
The Retreat: Uncovering family history
Barcelona-based Sábado Películas, led by Gaudi-nominated director Tian Riba, presented “The Retreat”, a documentary feature that explores three interwoven stories from the Spanish Civil War. At the heart of the film is the discovery of war-time photographs by renowned photojournalist Robert Capa. These images, lost for 70 years and found in Mexico, led Eric Cantona to recognize his grandfather in a photo taken at the Argelers refugee camp. Cantona, along with his two brothers, guides viewers through the documentary as they retrace their grandparents’ steps, uncovering forgotten family history and shedding light on the enduring impacts of war and exile.
Examining human nature and misinformation
“Good and Evil – How To Sell The World a Lie”, directed by Emmy-nominated Kelly Nyks, reexamines the Stanford Prison Experiment. The film aims to debunk the myth behind Professor Philip Zimbardo’s conclusions and expose how the media played a role in distorting the narrative of human nature. An archival-only approach adds a timely reflection on misinformation and the nature of truth in modern times.
Emerging talents and unique stories
Earlier in development but well-pitched was “Peter”, directed by Lucía Montero Sánchez de las Matas and produced by Carlota Darnell, Cornelius Films. This documentary follows Lucía as she collaborates with three amateur Spanish actors to recreate the enigmatic figure of Peter, a mysterious Englishman she encountered weekly when living in London.
Director Aurela Berila brought her subject, the ‘Albanian Madonna’ Adelina, to the event. “Adelina”, produced by Tabahana Films, explores the rise of the pop star whose bold, transgressive performances challenged the norms of 1990s ex-Yugoslavia. Through a feminist lens, Berila’s documentary delves into Adelina’s defiance against ethnic repression and patriarchal constraints, blending archival footage with the director’s own journey.
The forum’s diverse array of projects
Of the 15 projects pitched, two were Basque, while the remaining 13 hailed from a diverse array of countries including Germany, Kosovo, Denmark, Peru, Serbia, Italy, France, Argentina, and Spain. Proinsias Ní Ghrainne, commissioning editor at Ireland’s TG4, remarked, “This is a very good market. Year on year the projects are quite exceptional as compared to the bigger markets.”
Awards and recognition
Music Library Award
- “La Noche de la Infancia” – Xixi Sofía Ye Chen
- Produced by: Lacima Producciones, The South Project, La Fábrica Nocturna (Spain)
Dogwoof Award
- “Barrabás” – Daniel Martínez-Quintanilla
- Produced by: Muyuna, SUICAfilms, Associated Press (Spain, Peru)
EPE-IBAIA-ELKARGI Award
- “Barrabás” – Daniel Martínez-Quintanilla
- Produced by: Muyuna, SUICAfilms, Associated Press (Spain, Peru)
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