Filmax Swoops on ‘Irati’ Director Paul Urkijo’s Next, ’Gaua’ (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie enthusiast with a penchant for genre films, especially those that delve into historical and mythological narratives, I am thrilled by the prospect of Paul Urkijo’s upcoming film “Gaua”. Having been captivated by Urkijo’s previous works like “Irati” and “Errementari: The Devil and The Blacksmith”, I find myself eagerly awaiting another immersive, dark fantasy set in the Basque Country.

Filmax, well-known for its Spanish genre productions, has acquired international distribution rights for the movie “Gaua,” directed by Paul Urkijo. Notably, his previous work, “Irati,” a Basque sword and mace tale steeped in local mythology dating back to 778, was recognized at Sitges Film Festival in 2022, winning the main Competition Audience Award. This recognition solidified Urquijo as an emerging talent in Spain’s genre cinema scene.

According to Screen Anarchy’s observation, Irati positions women as the main focus in a narrative that is deeply rooted in a distinctive and authentic location. It captivates viewers with breathtaking visuals, monstrous creatures, divine entities, and legendary tales. Urquijo appears poised to incorporate these aspects in “Gaua,” which was unveiled during Sitges FanPitch, Spain’s premier event for genre productions.

Slated for filming between January and February of the upcoming year, with a screenplay in English, the movie is planned to debut at November’s American Film Market. The story unfolds in the Basque mountains during 17th century Spain. It commences as Kattalin stealthily departs her marital home under cover of darkness, seeking refuge from her husband. As she navigates through dense woods, she senses a hidden pursuit. Eventually, she stumbles upon three women engaged in washing their clothes and sharing local superstitions and rumors. Over time, Kattalin becomes entwined in their gossip.

‘Gaua’ is a captivating, dark, and historically rooted movie that blends suspense and mythology. It takes us on a universal journey through the Basque Country of the 17th century – a time marked by Inquisition, witches, and superstitions. Filmax described it in a statement as a story that explores themes of love, vengeance, and empowerment.

The film “Gaua” is created by Irusoin, a leading Basque production company known for producing “Marco,” which recently played at Venice Horizons and also for creating the Disney+ series “Cristobal Balenciaga,” the Spanish Oscar contender “The Endless Trench,” and “Flowers,” the first Basque-language film to screen in the main Competition at San Sebastian.

In addition to Ikusgarri Films, Gaua AIE, and Catalonia’s Vilaüt Films, producers are also accepting projects for “Alcarràs”. The production of “Gaua” will be aided by the Basque public broadcaster EITB, Spanish state TV RTVE, the Basque Government, Vitoria-Gasteiz Town Hall, and Diputación Foral de Álava.

From my childhood, tales about the night and legends surrounding spirits, demons, and witches from the 17th-century witch hunts have captivated me. Nowadays, these stories are often symbolic of female empowerment,” stated Urkijo. “With ‘Gaua,’ I aim to bring this world to life on the silver screen, creating an experience that is both terrifying and stunning, showcasing the unique beauty of our nocturnal folklore in a way that will leave audiences spellbound.

Following many years of friendship, ‘Gaua’ is an ideal venture to initiate our professional collaboration with Paul. Through his films like ‘Irati’ and ‘Errementari’, he has demonstrated that a movie can be both artistic and commercially successful. His local tales are authentically rooted yet universally relatable, making them capable of transcending any linguistic or geographical boundaries,” stated Ander Sagardoy from Irusoin, joined by Ander Barinaga-Rementeria and Xabier Berzosa in production.

He added: “For everyone at Irusoin, he is an extremely talented filmmaker, who has a unique ability to be able to tell stories that are fantastical and mythological, ambitious and real. We also share his sensibility and belief that through the telling of these stories, we are able to bring our Basque culture and language to the rest of the world and that is something that is really very exciting for us.”

In the previous year, the movie titled “Irati” generated substantial box office sales across significant territories such as Germany (Splendid) and Italy (Blue Swan). As a result, it became the highest-earning Basque language film in Spain to date, earning €956,938 ($1.05 million) at cinemas.

In his second film, titled “Errementari: The Devil and The Blacksmith,” directed by Alex de Iglesia, found global distribution on Netflix.

It’s incredibly rewarding to be alongside a gifted director such as Paul right from the beginning of his professional journey. Our connection with Paul has been unique ever since we were fortunate enough to collaborate on his debut film, ‘Errementari.’

Paul possesses a visionary spirit, being a director with an enormous personality within European genre cinema. His work consistently captivates audiences and offers something fresh, never failing to satisfy fans of genre films or those intrigued by Basque folklore and culture. This unique combination is both fascinating and potent. Moreover, the fact that this project hails from Irusoin makes the experience all the more thrilling.

2024-10-06 15:47

Filmax Swoops on ‘Irati’ Director Paul Urkijo’s Next, ’Gaua’ (EXCLUSIVE)

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