Discover the Dark and Diverse World of Spanish Cinema at Berlinale’s Co-Production Market!

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At Berlin’s comprehensive spotlight on Spain as its featured country in the European Film Market, EbMaster reflects on Spain’s participation in this year’s Co-Production Market.

A variety of Spanish productions graced Berlinale’s 22nd Co-Production market, each distinct in its own way. “Konbini,” produced by Aquí y Allí Films, is an unusual co-production with Japan. “Girl, Don’t Play,” directed by Ainhoa Rodríguez, positions itself as a counterpart to film noir, focusing on female monsters. “Men and Days,” set in Barcelona and London, offers a gay romantic drama, while “March 14th” and “Death in Torrevieja,” both winners at the Talent Project Market, are family dramas. The latter incorporates a murder mystery into a resort town setting.

The common thread among the five ventures was their intense emphasis on significant social concerns, a trait often found in contemporary Spanish films crafted by young filmmakers.

All five images made their initial appearance at the European Film Market (EFM), where they were part of approximately 35 feature film productions originating from 27 different countries that participated in the Co-Production Market from February 15th to 19th.

“March 14th” (“Catorce de Marzo”), Alberto Gross Molo and co-screenwriter Tomàs Bayo Encontra

Among the six projects that received awards at this year’s Co-Production Market, one stood out as the best new project at the Talent Project Market, winning a €10,000 ($10,500) cash prize. This project is produced by Contraria Media, in collaboration with Gross Molo’s shorts producer, Ayhe Productions, and Solita Films, known for their Sundance hit “The Fishbowl.” The story revolves around Héctor (11) and his younger sister Gema (6), who are on the brink of their parents’ divorce trial. Their tomorrow holds a crucial decision: they must choose which parent they wish to live with. However, Héctor is worried that if their answers don’t align, the judge might separate them. This project has been through La Incubadora ECAM and Berlinale Talents Script Station during its development phase. As Laura Egidos from Contraria Media explains, “Beyond the divorce theme, ‘March 14th’ explores the love between siblings, family, and the pain caused by conflicts within loved ones.

“Konbini,” Pedro Collantes, Tomoe Kanno, Sayaka Akitsu

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled about the upcoming project titled “Konbini,” which revolves around me, Kisayo, a sound artist grappling with late-night shifts at a Tokyo convenience store. An unforeseen event occurs one night when I step in to prevent an elderly man from being accused of theft. This serendipitous encounter ignites an unexpected relationship between two lives otherwise apart. In its nascent stage, this heartwarming tale is supported by the Spanish Film Institute ICAA and Japan’s Tsutaya Programme. Collantes, a visionary in the industry, expresses his excitement about leading and contributing to such an international co-production with Culture Entertainment, one of Japan’s most seasoned production companies boasting over 30 years of experience. It’s a privilege to be part of this compelling story that beautifully captures harsh realities while wrapping them in tenderness – making it irresistible to love.

“Girl, Don’t Play” (“Niña, no juegues”) Ainhoa Rodríguez

Six-year-old Maria resides with her mother in a roadside inn-eatery situated in Extremadura. Her mother, often engrossed in cooking and struggling with abdominal discomfort, occasionally disappears before sunrise. One fateful night, a chilling encounter on the roadside compels them to escape swiftly. As hidden truths surface, Maria starts questioning her mother’s authentic self – and her own.

Produced jointly by Les Films du Worso and Tentación Cabiria, Rodriguez asserts that her horror movie delves into the legend of the ‘female monster,’ while investigating maternal ties and the struggle between personal identity and societal expectations. Narrated from a child’s viewpoint, it honors cinematic heritage while reimagining it from a fresh perspective.

“Men and Days” (“Els homes i els dies”), Arnau Vilaró 

Under the production of Nanouk Films, Local Films, and Lluís Miñarro, the film “Men and Days” by Arnau Vilaró (“Alcarràs”) is influenced by the life of the late Hispanic Studies scholar David Vilaseca. This movie, set in Barcelona during 1992, portrays Vilaseca’s return from London following his PhD completion and a difficult breakup. As Olympic excitement swept through the city and the AIDS crisis unfolded, he began writing a diary on male relationships, eventually gaining recognition when it was published. Backed by ICEC, Creative Europe Media, and 3CAT, the production is seeking additional support from Televisión Española and CNC. The producers emphasize its unique perspective on identity, pre-Olympic Barcelona, and LGBTQ+ battles seldom depicted in Spanish cinema.

The Script for ‘Death in Torrevieja’ is written by Adriana Arratia, along with Marina Figueras and Pilar Romina.

At the Berlinale Co-Production Market’s Talent Project Market, the joint production between Maqueta Films and Nakamura Films unfolds against the backdrop of a sweltering summer in the resort town Torrevieja. In this setting, Chetia, a single mother battling to make ends meet with her uncooperative son, navigates life through questionable schemes and illicit balcony gambling. However, her existence is thrown into chaos when an enigmatic tourist meets an untimely demise at one of her gatherings. The lead roles are filled by Caterina Hurtado Fernández and Ana Jiménez La Santa. Adriana Arratia, the 25-year-old director, employs a distinctive language and is determined to shed light on the stories of women living on society’s periphery. Her work exudes modernity, resilience, and grit, according to its producers.

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2025-02-22 15:46