‘Fury,’ ‘The Virgin of the Quarry Lake’ and ‘The Goldsmith’s Secret’ Headline Slate of Catalan Films at the Berlinale

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Just as water adapts to fit the vessel it’s in, Catalan cinema seamlessly blends into any film festival or market it participates in. This year’s European Film Market is no different, and here are ten Catalan films poised to leave a mark at this year’s event.

Eva Libertad’s first full-length film, titled “Deaf,” will have its grand premiere in the Panorama section. This feature is an adaptation of a short film with the same title, and it was first showcased worldwide. The film has been distributed by Latido Films and produced by Distinto Films, A Contracorriente Films, and Nexus CreaFilms. Notably, “Deaf” is based on Libertad’s Goya-nominated short of the same name.

The premiere of Eva Libertad’s debut feature, “Deaf,” will take place in the Panorama section. This movie is an extension of a short film with the same title, which had its global debut. Latido Films distributed the film, while Distinto Films, A Contracorriente Films, and Nexus CreaFilms produced it. Importantly, “Deaf” was inspired by Libertad’s Goya-nominated short of the same name.

Lucía G. Romero’s film titled “Close to September” is set to make its first appearance at the Berlinale Shorts. This production was carried out by Escándalo Films, Filmax, ESCAC Films, and ESCAC Studio. The story revolves around an unbalanced young love affair.

This year’s presentation by Generation Kplus highlights two Catalan productions: “Only On Earth,” a Danish-Catalan documentary directed by Robin Petré and produced by Hansen & Pedersen and Polar Star Films, and “Juanita,” directed by Karen Joaquín and Uliane Tatit and produced by Avocado & Pumpkin. The first film delves into the joint hardships faced by humans and animals in fire-prone Galicia, while the second focuses on a young girl’s journey amidst the oppressive pressures of beauty standards for women.

At Film Factory, they are holding market screenings for two engaging movies from Nostromo Pictures. “The Goldsmith’s Secret,” a romantic drama set in the past directed by Olga Osorio and starring Mario Casas (awarded with a Goya), is scheduled to be released in Spain later this month through Warner Bros., seeking international distributors. On the other hand, Javier Ruiz Caldera’s “Wolfgang,” a heartwarming comedy about autism and parenthood, will hit domestic screens in March, courtesy of Universal Pictures.

Filmax will showcase a variety of Catalan films at this year’s EFM. Highlighting the list is Laura Casabé’s “The Virgin of the Quarry Lake”, a joint production with Argentina, Spain, and Mexico that has garnered international attention despite facing challenges at this year’s Sundance. Cesc Gay, director of “Truman”, presents his new film “My Friend Eva”, a romantic comedy appealing to audiences and produced by Marta Esteban, a long-time collaborator from Imposible Films. “Fury” by Gemma Blasco, which was recently chosen for the Global section at this year’s SXSW, has already boosted its prestige ahead of its EFM market screening. Lastly, “The Light of Aisha” is a lively animated movie offering insights into Spain’s less frequently portrayed Arabic history.

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2025-02-15 16:16