During a Movistar+ presentation at the historic Telefónica Building on Madrid’s Gran Via this afternoon, renowned writer-director-producer duo Los Javis – Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo – shared early details about their next project, “La bola negra,” a multi-timelined feature about what it is and has meant to be a gay man in Spain throughout the last century.
A day after their series “La Mesías” won the Rose d’Or Award for best mini or limited series at Content Americas, Ambrossi and Calvo – known locally as Los Javis – revealed that they’re in the final stages of putting the project together and will begin shooting later this year. Abrossi and Calvo are writing, directing, and co-producing the feature through their label Suma Content, which is teaming with Movistar+, its production and distribution partner, on “La Mesías.”
“La bola negra” is a “queer revisitation of a part of the history of our country,” explained Ambrossi from the stage. The film shares its name with one of legendary gay Spanish poet, playwright and theater director Federico García Lorca’s unfinished works. Four pages of the document were written by the author, who “speaks of a person they reject because of their sexual orientation,” Ambrossi explained. “He couldn’t finish it because he was killed. It was the first time Frederick had written to an explicitly homosexual protagonist. We start from that work to create a reflection on what it means to be gay over time, in three different times. We are living the journey of writing between an introspective search and historical research from the utmost respect.” Elaborating with a more specific synopsis, Calvo added, “‘ La bola negra’ narrates the interconnected lives of three men in three different eras. Three existences, mainly linked by sexuality and desire, pain and inheritance. And one final, unfinished work of Federico García Lorca.”
Much like Lorca’s piece was the first time that he even put a gay man in the leading role, “La bola negra” will be the first time that Los Javis headline a gay man in one of their works. “We’ve always examined [what it is to be queer] by telling stories about women or trans people,” Ambrossi recalled, explaining that this time, the story will be told from a perspective the creative and life partners know well.
The rest of the afternoon’s presentation featured a star-studded lineup of creative talent who updated attendees on their previously announced features. Present were Antonio de la Torre and Barbara Lennie with their upcoming film “Los Tigres,” Oliver Laxe and Santiago Fillol with “Sirat,” Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Isabel Peña with “El ser querido,” Alauda Ruiz de Azúa with “Los Domingos” and Berto Romero and Javier Ruiz Caldera with “Cinco minutos más.”
“We have the privilege of being able to work with the best talent, with creators who endow our original films with artistic ambition and personality, and always accompanied by excellent producers who make those films a reality,” said Movistar+ Director of Original Fiction Domingo Corral of the company’s impressive lineup. “We continue to bet on theatrical premieres, and we do it with the best distributors. We also have international partners who help us get our films to travel beyond our borders. We are all very excited about making great films that enrich the audiovisual culture of our country.”
“Los Tigres”
From longtime collaborators Alberto Rodríguez and Rafael Cobos (“Marshland,” The Plague”), this thriller follows siblings Antonio and Estrella, who work in industrial diving. Their lives take a dramatic turn when they discover a stash of cocaine hidden in a ship’s hull. The film stars Antonio de la Torre and Bárbara Lennie and is produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with Kowalski Films, Feelgood Media, Mazagon Films AIE, and Le Pacte (France).
“Sirat”
Oliver Laxe (“Fire Will Come”) and Santiago Fillol (“Matadero”) are behind this intense thriller that tells the story of a man and his son searching for their missing daughter/sister at a rave in the Moroccan mountains. The film stars Sergi López and Bruno Núñez, along with numerous non-professional actors. It is produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with El Deseo, Filmes Da Ermida, Uri Films, and 4A4 Productions.
“El ser querido”
About the relationship between a successful film director and his struggling actress daughter as they work on a movie together, “El ser querido” comes from the prolific creative partnership of Rodrigo Sorogoyen and Isabel Peña (“The Beasts,” “Riot Police”). The film stars Javier Bardem and Victoria Luengo, with a supporting cast including Raúl Arévalo and Marina Foïs. It is produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with Caballo Films and El Ser Querido AIE, with co-production by Le Pacte (France). The film will be distributed by A Contracorriente Films.
“Los Domingos”
Directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa (“Lullaby”), this film follows Ainara, a young woman deciding her future career path, much to her family’s concern. The film stars Patricia López Arnaiz, Miguel Garcés, and Juan Minujín. It is produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with Buenapinta Media, Encanta Films, Sayaka Producciones, Think Studio, Colosé Producciones, and Los Desencuentros Película AIE. The film will be distributed in Spain by Bteam Pictures4.
“Cinco minutos más”
Written and starring Berto Romero and directed by his “The Other Side” collaborator Javier Ruiz Caldera, this fantasy film revolves around a couple in crisis who experience a time loop during a rural getaway. The film is produced by Movistar Plus+ in collaboration with El Terrat (The Mediapro Studio) and Ikiru Films. It will be distributed in Spain by Filmax.
