Breaking Walls: A Hilarious Journey of Fatherhood in 80s Spain!

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During the late 1980s, the working-class neighborhoods of Bilbao mirrored Spain’s broader socio-economic changes following democracy. In this context, Borja Cobeaga’s upcoming comedy “Breaking Walls” (or “Los Aitas”) comically explores the shift in fatherhood during this significant period. The film is a joint production by Sayaka Producciones (“Colossal”), Inicia Films (“Glimmers”), Bteam Prods (“Schoolgirls”), and Despadres AIE. The plot revolves around a team of young gymnasts, all girls, whose fathers are compelled to accompany them on a trip to Berlin – a trip that coincides with the historic collapse of the Berlin Wall. This journey serves as a spark for these men to reassess and redefine their roles as parents.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I, along with my co-writer Valentina Viso (“Salve Maria”), rooted our cinematic journey in the tumultuous political, cultural, and economic landscape of its era. The movie’s prologue presents gritty industrial images of Bilbao, subtly weaving in allusions to the Pact of Ajuria Enea and the rule of José Antonio Ardanza. Furthermore, a hint of the emerging technology, VCR, is subtly incorporated into the storyline.

In a movie I find captivating, the central theme revolves around transformation, particularly fatherhood. As unemployment among men increased during that time, I believe fathers took on greater responsibilities for their children. This was due to the necessity of maintaining the family’s economic stability when the primary breadwinner was out of work. With more mothers joining the workforce, fathers found themselves taking on new roles such as driving kids to school and helping with homework. I can relate because I was around the same age as the children in the film in 1989.” This is how Cobeaga shares his thoughts with EbMaster.

The principal actors, including Quim Gutiérrez, Juan Diego Botto, Mikel Losada, Iñaki Ardanaz, Laura Weissmahr, and Ramón Barea, lend an air of genuine realism to the movie.

In the movie, all the fathers portrayed are real-life dads. It’s possible for an actor without children to play a father, but I believe they have a deeper understanding of fatherhood… and sonhood as well, according to Cobeaga.

The production titled ‘Breaking Walls’ utilizes humor as a tool to explore themes such as class, and the balance between being a provider and caregiver. The director believes that comedy serves as a method to deal with difficulties, stating, “I’m not convinced that comedy can bring about change, but I think it’s a way to handle problems in a less daunting manner. For me, humor is a means of retaliation against the harshness of reality.” He elaborated.

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“‘Breaking Walls’ uses humor as a perspective to discuss complex topics like class and the dual role of providers and caregivers. According to the director, comedy functions as a coping mechanism for challenges, “I’m not certain if comedy holds the power to change things, but I believe it’s a way to confront problems with a lighter touch. To me, humor is a form of rebellion against reality.” He clarified.

Through experiences deeply rooted within him, Cobeaga’s transformation into a storyteller was significantly shaped by his mother, who fostered his enthusiasm at an early stage.

My mom has been a significant influence in my life. Since our home was filled with films, she loved cinema, and that’s where conversations about directors like Hawks, Minnelli, Tourneur, or Cukor often took place. I aspired to be a director at the age of seven, as our home became a hub for such discussions. We didn’t have a VHS player back then, but my mom recorded films on cassette tapes from the TV, allowing us to revisit and enjoy them later.” Clearly, her dedication bore fruit.

The movie “Spanish Affair,” a work he collaborated on, turned out to be a massive success and continues to rank among the most triumphant Spanish films ever made. With Spanish films and TV shows garnering worldwide attention, Cobeaga recognizes the growing possibilities for storytellers.

He believes global streaming platforms have finally achieved what Spanish and Latin American cinema has striven for over decades: a truly global success. With so many millions of people speaking the same language, it’s surprising that we had to wait for ‘La Casa De Papel’ to break through on a worldwide scale.” He continues, “The potential is immense, especially in genres like thriller or horror which have already seen international triumph. I hope comedy will be next. It’s exciting to see local successes being remade in Mexico, Argentina, or France with their unique language and cultural nuances. I just hope future generations can appreciate original projects, rather than constantly remaking them.

As a passionate cinephile, I can’t contain my excitement for the upcoming theatrical release of my film. After a decade since my last feature film in theaters, it’s ‘The Big Leap’ that will be gracing our local cinemas this year. While ‘Bomb Scared’, my 2017 directorial debut, had a direct-to-streaming release on Netflix, there’s something uniquely exhilarating about the anticipation of an opening weekend at the movies.

You see, I’ve dedicated much of my time to producing television shows, projects close to my heart. Yet, the thrill of a theatrical premiere is incomparable. I often take my eight-year-old son to the cinema with me, and we manage to catch around two to three films each month. Every time, he reminds me, “Dad, movies are better here.” It’s not just about the big screen or the popcorn; it’s about shared experiences, emotions, and stories unfolding on the silver screen. I can hardly wait!

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2025-03-19 14:49