As a passionate admirer of the vibrant world of cinema, I find myself consistently captivated by the extraordinary talent that emerges from Catalonia. The region’s filmmakers are not just punching above their weight; they are soaring to heights previously unimagined.
For several years, Catalan films have left a lasting impact at international film festivals and award events, consistently outperforming expectations within the screen industries given its regional size. As the fall festival season transitions into awards season, we thought it would be interesting to explore the most anticipated Catalan productions slated for release next year.
Film director Carla Simon, known for her captivating work within European cinema, is currently working on her fourth movie titled “Romeria.” This production is underway. The story revolves around Marina, a character that embarks on a journey to Vigo, situated in the northwest of Spain, to meet her late biological father’s family, who he had during his struggle with AIDS. The film holds a special significance for Simon, as she tragically lost both parents to the same disease at the tender age of six.
Filmmaker Oliver Laxe generated buzz when his upcoming movie titled “After” was introduced in January, with Pedro Almodóvar’s El Deseo, Los Desertores Films, and Uri Films collaborating on production. The filming took place in Spain and Morocco, and it revolves around a man and his son who find themselves at a rave located deep within the supposedly barren and eerie mountains of southern Morocco. They are searching for Marina, the man’s daughter and boy’s sister, who went missing several months ago at another rave gathering.
As a passionate cinephile, I’m thrilled to announce that I’m immersed in a new cinematic journey – directing “The Days of Abandonment,” starring the illustrious Penelope Cruz. This film is an adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s acclaimed Italian novel, and it’s being produced by the distinguished companies Lotus Production, Leone Film Group, Cruz’s Moonlyon, The Mediapro Studio, and Nimoa Entertainment.
Filmmaker Borja Cobeaga, nominated for an Oscar in 2007 for his short film “One Too Many,” is currently working on his new comedy titled “Loa aitas.” Set in the 1980s, this humor-filled story revolves around a band of bumbling fathers who accompany their gymnastics team to a competition in Berlin when the mothers are unable to attend. The production companies involved in this project are Inicia Films, Sayaka Producciones, BTeam Prods, and Despadres.
Filmmaker Cesc Gay, a reliable draw at the box office in our region, is currently working on “My Friend Eva” in post-production. This film is produced by Arcadia Motion Pictures, a studio that was recently nominated for an Oscar (“Robot Dreams”), as well as La Tentación Producciones, Galatea Films, and Fidéle Production. The romantic comedy takes place against the beautiful backdrops of Barcelona and Rome, with local stars Nora Navas, Juan Diego Botto, and Rodrigo de la Serna in leading roles (“Libertad”, “The Suicide Squad”, “Money Heist” respectively).
Jaime Rosales‘s “Morlaix,” regularly set in Cannes, has been completed and is soon to make its debut. This movie, sold by A Contracorriente Films and produced by Fresdeval Films, Iwaso Films, and Les Productions Balthazar, is a collaboration between France and Spain. It’s a heartfelt tale about a young girl who encounters a film that appears to be mysteriously influenced by her personal life, including the recent passing of her mother.
Additional captivating titles by established Catalonian filmmakers are:
The upcoming lineup of films by esteemed Catalan filmmakers in 2025 is certainly attention-grabbing, but what’s equally noteworthy is the high number of first-time feature directors. We’re anticipating roughly 25 features to premiere that year, and it’s likely this count will increase. Moreover, approximately 11 of these films will be debuts from newcomers.
Following remarkable performances at Residència Guions Acadèmia Cinema Català incubator in 2022 and 2023, as well as at Rome’s MIA Market and Spanish Screenings during Ventana Sur last year, Jaume Claret Muxart’s “Estrany riu” is currently being filmed. The movie narrates the journey of a 15-year-old boy named Didac, who along with his family, embarks on a bicycle trip alongside the Danube River. This could potentially be the last adventure shared by Didac and his family.
In “Forastera” by Lucía Aleñar, the peaceful holiday season for young Catalina takes an unexpected and tragic turn with the bizarre and violent demise of her grandmother. Overwhelmed by grief, Catalina adopts her grandmother’s attire, stepping into a fantastical realm that will ultimately lead her to walk in her grandmother’s footsteps.
“Sorda” (Deaf) by Eva Libertad narrates the tale of a pregnant deaf woman and her hearing partner. They encounter a crisis as they navigate the difficulties of bringing up a child in an environment ill-equipped to accommodate them. This captivating feature film is inspired by Libertad’s 2023 short film of the same name, which received a nomination for the Spanish Academy Goya Award and was showcased at film festivals worldwide.
Upcoming debuts that show great potential include “Join Me for Breakfast” by Iván Morales, “Away” by Gerard Oms, “Salen las Lobas” by Claudia Estrada Tarascó, “Dream of Another Summer” by Irene Bartolomé, “Dismantling an Elephant” by Miguel Santesmares, and “Downriver, a Tiger” by Victor Diago – a captivating work-in-progress at Locarno. Additionally, Eloy Calvo’s hybrid live-action/animation feature “The Van” is another promising addition to the horizon.
Over the past few years, Catalonia’s animation industry has seen remarkable growth, reaching new heights with Arcadia Films-produced “Robot Dreams” earning an Oscar nomination and numerous successful commercial films in Spain and Europe. This trend seems set to persist in 2025, as productions like “Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake,” “The Light of Aisha,” and “The Treasure of Barracuda” are nearing completion.
At the Marché du Film in May, “The Treasure of Barracuda” and “The Light of Aisha” drew attention after being acquired by powerful Catalan sales agent Filmax. In June, “Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake”, the first-ever stop-motion feature from Catalonia, left a lasting impact during an Annecy Work in Progress screening.
Catalan TV productions are causing a stir in the high-end series market. Renowned actor Leticia Dolera (“REC 3: Genesis,” “Perfect Life”) is set to expand her directorial journey with the series “Puberty.” This series explores a controversial case of suspected abuse among teenagers, questioning whether a 13-year-old can be considered a sexual offender and who should bear responsibility for their actions. Distinto Films, Corte y Confección de Películas, and Uri Films are the producers behind this thought-provoking production airing on Max.
In simple terms, Catalonia is set to unveil a diverse array of projects, varying in style and format, which are slated for release in 2025. These projects will further strengthen the impressive trajectory that Catalonia has established in recent years, gaining recognition on film festivals, winning awards, performing well at the box office, and making an impact on television and streaming platforms.
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2024-09-20 10:48