Albert Serra’s Bullfighting Doc ‘Afternoons of Solitude’ Wins Golden Shell at San Sebastián, as Pamela Anderson and ‘The Last Showgirl’ Take Jury Prize
variety.comGuy Lodge Film Critic Sometimes, in a closely contested festival competition, it pays to be the one thing that isn’t like the others.
A starkly powerful, observational study of contemporary bullfighting, Spanish auteur Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude” was the only documentary in the main competition at this year’s San Sebastian Film Festival — and this evening won the Golden Shell for best film of the festival, beating some big-name narrative competition.
The award was presented by last year’s Golden Shell winner, Spanish filmmaker Jaione Camborda, heading a jury that also included directors Ulrich Seidl, Christos Nikou and Fran Kranz, producer Carole Scotta and Argentine journalist Leila Guerriero.
Centred on star Peruvian matador Andrés Rey Roca, “Afternoons of Solitude” is candid in its depiction of the violence of the sport, and has already proven controversial on home turf, with Spain’s animal-rights party PACMA calling for the film to be withdrawn from the festival.
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