ZFF celebrates Spanish cinema

The aroma of paella and the fiery sound of flamenco music are set to fill the air at the Festival Centre this year when Spain is welcomed as the guest country to the 18th Zurich Film Festival (Sept 22 – Oct 2). The ZFF presents 16 works by young Spanish filmmakers in its “New World View” section.

Each year, the Zurich Film Festival turns the spotlight on a country experiencing a new cinematic dawn in its “New World View” section. This year’s choice falls on Spain, and the section will screen eleven films and five short films by mainly young Spanish filmmakers. “Spain is a huge film-producing country that has brought forth masters like Luis Buñuel, Carlos Saura and Pedro Almodóvar,” explains Christian Jungen, Artistic Director Zurich Film Festival. “Now a new generation of young directors, particularly female ones, are telling stories with the utmost urgency about the social tensions in their homeland. It’s their cinema we want to celebrate.”

In it’s section “Window San Sebastián” the ZFF will screen the film MODELO 77 from Alberto Rodriguez, which opens the San Sebastián Film Festival. The Zurich Film Festival not only celebrates Spanish cinema this year, but also the ten-year anniversary of its strategic collaboration with the Spanish A-festival, which overlaps with the ZFF. “Rather than competing against each other, we decided instead to join forces ten years ago,” says Christian Jungen. His colleague José Luis Rebordinos Director San Sabastián Film Festival adds, “The collaboration helps to better promote Swiss cinema in Spain and Spanish cinema in Switzerland.”

ZFF is expecting many Spanish film workers, including the young actress María Cerezuela, who was already at last year’s ZFF with MAIXABEL, a film about coming to terms with ETA terrorism, and appears on this year’s campaign poster for the 18th edition of the ZFF.

The Zurich Film Festival will show a total of 16 Spanish Productions this year, as well as a block of five Spanish short films screened in collaboration with the Kurzfilmtage Winterthur.

The guest country will also be present at the festival in culinary and musical terms. There will be an exhibition at the Spanish Consulate with photos of all the Spanish filmmakers who have already presented their films been at the ZFF. In cooperation with the Spanish Embassy in Bern and the Spanish Consulate in Zurich as well as the Spanish tourist office Turespaña and Catalan Films, the ZFF is organising events to celebrate Spanish culture. A Noche española with a screening at Kino Kosmos and a rumba concert at Toro Bar will kick things off on Saturday, 24.9. Spanish delicacies such as churros, tapas, Spanish cheese and Jamón ibérico will be served in and around the festival centre.

Official Partner of the “New World View” section are Zurich Airport and Travelhouse.

ALCARRÀS
Swiss Premiere
Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Carla Simón
Cast: Jordi Pujol Dolcet, Anna Otin, Xènia Roset, Albert Bosch, Ainet Jounou, Josep Abad
Cinema release: 29.09.2022

For generations, the Solé family has farmed a peach orchard in the Catalan village of Alcarràs. But according to the landowner’s decision, the peach trees are to be removed from the fields and solar panels erected in their place. Awarded the Golden Bear for Best Film at this year’s Berlinale, director Carla Simón’s magnificently choreographed, highly atmospheric drama immerses us in picturesque landscapes and portrays a multi-generational family caught between tradition and upheaval.

EN LOS MÁRGENES / ON THE FRINGE

Premiere in the German-language realm
Thriller
Spain, 2022
Director: Juan Diego Botto
Cast: Penélope Cruz, Luis Tosar, Adelfa Calvo

Rafael is a passionate lawyer who supports underprivileged people but neglects his own family. Cashier Azucena and her family are facing eviction. And Germán doesn’t want to meet his mother because he is ashamed of his poverty. In his gripping social thriller, director Juan Diego Botto weaves together the stories of different people in Madrid. In the leading roles, Oscar winner Penélope Cruz and Luis Tosar embark on a race against time.

LA MATERNAL / MOTHERHOOD

International Premiere
Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Pilar Palomero
Cast: Carla Quilez, Ángela Cervantes

What does it mean to be a mother? What does it mean to be a child? At 14, Carla is both. After falling pregnant, the rebellious teenager is sent by social welfare to La Materna, a home for young mothers. There she learns to live with her pregnant classmates and has time to prepare for the role of being a mother. A sensitive and heartbreaking journey into teenage parenthood.

AS BESTAS / THE BEASTS
 
Premiere in the German-language realm
Thriller
Spain, 2022
Director: Rodrigo Sorogoyen
Cast: Denis Menochet, Marina Foïs, Luis Zahera, Diego Anido, Marie Colomb

Some time ago, the French couple Vincent and Olga settled in a small village in the interior of Galicia and lead a tranquil existence as farmers. Despite their friendliness, the local farmers treat the two strangers with suspicion and disdain – until the situation in the village escalates. In the beautiful setting of the Galician countryside, Oscar-nominated director Rodrigo Sorogoyen stages a high-tension thriller that is as original as it is gripping – a real stunner!

CERDITA / PIGGY

Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Carlota Pereda
Cast: Laura Galán, Claudia Salas, Carmen Machi

Not everyone loves summertime. For Sara, the overweight daughter of a butcher, it only means that she constantly has to deal with nasty taunts from the other girls in the village. When she is once again bullied in the worst possible way after an afternoon at the swimming pool, a psychopath comes to her rescue and promptly kidnaps her tormentors. A superbly staged, highly amusing debut that evolves from a psychological drama into an intelligent horror satire.

LIBERTAD

Swiss Premiere
Coming-of-Age
Spain, 2021
Director: Clara Roquet
Cast: Maria Morera, Nicolle Garcia, Nora Navas, Carol Hurtado, Vicky Peña

The 15-year-old, well-protected Nora can’t stand another boring summer at her family’s beach house on the Costa Brava. Salvation comes in the form of Libertad, the Colombian housekeeper’s fiery daughter of the same age. As opposite as the two girls are, their friendship soon intensifies – and must remain a secret at all costs. The award-winning feature film debut tells of female youth in the midst of prevailing class differences.

CINCO LOBITOS / LULLABY

Swiss Premiere
Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Alauda Ruiz de Azúa
Cast: Laia Costa, Susi Sánchez, Ramón Barea, Mikel Bustamante

Amaia and Javi have just had their first child and are still full of joy. How they are going to organise themselves with regard to work and care is something they have hardly yet thought about. When Javi is absent with work, Amaia sets off to the Basque coast to seek support from her parents – and is faced by the question of her own future. In her debut feature, director Alauda Ruiz de Azúa addresses the challenges young parents are facing today.

MAGALUF GHOST TOWN

Swiss Premiere
Non-Fiction
Spain, 2022
Director: Miguel Ángel Blanca
Protagonists: Jordi Vilches

In Magaluf on Mallorca, tourists come and go like the tide. During the vacation season, the tranquil town is overrun by party tourists in search of the ultimate excess. Once the drinking holidaymakers have left, locals like the sometime criminal Rubén or the pensioner Maria and her well-travelled lodger are left behind. Enriched with scenes of fiction and full of subtle, morbid humour, the documentary MAGALUF GHOST TOWN shows us through their eyes the bizarre-seeming world of the vacation resort.

RAMONA

Premiere in the German-language realm
Comedy
Spain, 2022
Director: Andrea Bagney
Cast: Lourdes Hernández, Bruno Lastra, Francesco Carril

After years abroad, Ramona has moved back to Madrid with her boyfriend, Nico, and wants to finally gain a foothold as an actress. The day before an audition for a promising lead role, she meets the charismatic Bruno. There is a strong and immediate attraction between the two. But Ramona has no idea that she will see Bruno again the very next day – as the director of the film she is auditioning for. Andrea Bagney’s refreshingly charming comedy about love, career – and all that stands in the way of both.

TENÉIS QUE IR A VERLA / YOU HAVE TO COME AND SEE IT

Premiere in the German-language realm
Comedy / Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Jonás Trueba
Cast: Itsaso Arana, Vito Sanz, Francesco Carril, Irene Escolar

Since Susana and Guillermo moved from the city to the outskirts of Madrid with the intention of starting a family, they have lost contact with their friends Elena and Daniel. When they reunite a good while later, things no longer feel the same. Four thirty-somethings ponder life’s small and big decisions. With charming melancholy and gentle humour, director Jonás Trueba creates a cinematic miniature about unspoken feelings.

MI VACÍO Y YO / MY EMPTINESS AND I

Premiere in the German-language realm
Drama
Spain, 2022
Director: Adrián Silvestre
Cast: Raphaëlle Pérez, Alberto Díaz, Marc Ribera, Isabel Rocatti, Carles Fernández Guía, Carmen Moreno

Raphi dreams of a career as an artist and finding the love of her life. But reality is different: The young French woman works in a call centre in Barcelona, struggles through embarrassing dates and is diagnosed with gender dysphoria by her therapist. Before Raphi’s dream can come true, the transwoman must first get to know and accept herself. Adrian Silvestre draws the portrait of his captivating main character with engaging sensitivity.

Shorts from Spain

Despite their summery lightness, these five short films get to the bottom of the Spanish temperament and explore themes such as freedom, stubbornness and fighting spirit. Curated by the International Short Film Festival Winterthur.

LEYENDA DORADA: Chema García Ibarra, Ion de Sosa, 2019, 11`

PLAYA CHICA: Ignacio Vuelta, 2021, 21′

LAS INFANTAS: Andrea Herrera Catalá, 2021, 14′

PANTERES: Èrika Sánchez, 2020, 23′

HELTZEAR: Mikel Gurrea, Heltzear, 2022, 18