Some of the highest-profile Spanish films of 2024 – from Málaga Festival winner and now Spain’s Oscar entry “Saturn Return” to San Sebastián laureates “I Am Nevenka” and “Glimmers” – feature in MASS, a Spanish film showcase which will unspool in Buenos Aires over Nov. 28-30 and Montevideo during Dec. 2-4, running parallel with the Uruguayan capital’s Ventana Sur market.
The film season represents the latest collaboration between Spain’s San Sebastián and Málaga Festival, here in partnership of Spain’s ICAA film agency and Argentina’s Orca Films, as Spain’s seeks to capitalize on its predominant presence on global streamers among E.U. film powers to consolidate production and co-financing relations in Uruguay, a building film-TV hub, and with regions of Argentina.
During their stay in Argentina, the San Sebastian and Malaga Festivals will meet representatives of the Buenos Aires, Entre Ríos and Santiago del Estero provinces to work on drawing up a collaboration agreement to promote exchange and relations between Spanish and Argentine cinema.
The lineup:
“La Casa,” (Álex Montoya, Spain)A big breakout at this year’s Malaga, sweeping its Audience Award – the plaudit sales agents prize – plus a Silver Biznaga for Best Screenplay and Best Score. Produced by Nakamura Films and Raw Pictures, the rural drama follows three siblings who reunite in their childhood home after their father’s death. Each object in their home sparks etched memories as emotional tension builds. “La Casa” stars two-time Goya winner David Verdaguer (“Jokes & Cigarettes,” “Summer 1993”). World sales: Latido.
“Glimmers,” (“Destellos,” Pilar Palomero, Spain)
Palomero’s third feature and thought by many at the San Sebastián Festival to be Palomero’s best feature yet, after her debut, “The Schoolgirls,” which won the Spanish Academy Best Picture Goya, and her sophomore outing, “Motherhood,” a Best Leading Performance at San Sebastián winner. “Glimmers” won the same honor this year for stars Antonio de la Torre (“”) and Patricia López Arnaiz (“Ane is Missing”), who play an estranged couple who re-meet when the ex-husband falls severely ill. Sold by Film Factory.
“I Am Nevenka,” (Iciar Bollaín, Spain)
The first film out from top Spanish pay TV/SVOD operator Movistar Plus+’s first movie slate, co-produced with independent production companies, here Kowalski Films and Feelgood Media. A blow-by-blow chronicle, based exactingly on true events, of the physical – including rape – mental and emotional abuse suffered by Nevenka Fernández, a former member of Ponferrada Municipal Council, from Ismael Álvarez, then the all-powerful major of the city. Directed by Bollaín, it climaxes with a landmark sexual harassment court case in Spain, the first levied against a politician in Spain. Another Film Factory title.
I’Am Nevenka
© David Herranz
“Mugaritz. No Bread, No Dessert,” (Paco Plaza, Spain)
Spanish horror maestro Plaza (“Verónica”) changes direction to deliver an inside track on the table-turning doc-feature portrait of the inner workings and satiate rationale of the two-Michelin Star Basque restaurant, Mugaritz whose dishes are also food for thought. Winner of San Sebastian’s prestigious Culinary Zinema Award which will be presented by Plaza, accompanied by Mugaritz Andoni Luis Aduriz.
Mugaritz. No Bread, No Dessert
Courtesy of Movistar Plus+
“Nina,” (Andrea Jurrieta, Spain)
Jurrieta’s second feature after “Ana by Day” scored her a best new director Spanish Academy Goya nomination. Reprising narrative elements from Anton Chekhov’s “The Seagull,” “Nina” turns on a woman, an actress, who returns to her home town on Spain’s rugged northern coast seeking to exact revenge on a celebrated writer. Starring López Arnaiz (“Ane is Missing”) and Argentina’s Darío Grandinetti (“Talk to Her”), “Nina” channels Douglas Sirk melodrama and above all classic Western in a stylish genre mix, establishing Jurrieta as a filmmaker to track. Filmax handles sales.
“Saturn Return,” (Isaki Lacuesta, Pol Rodríguez,, Spain)
Málaga’s biggest winner, walking off with a Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Film and Silver Biznaga for Best Director and Best Editing, a genre bending biopic about iconic rock band Los Planetas, prepping their 1994 breakout album. Written by Fernando Navarro, co-helmed by double San Sebastian Golden Shell winner Lacuesta, a radical crowdpleaser. Latido sells.
