Family Dramas, Queer, Horror Themes Among Spanish Pics at Berlinale’s Co-Production Market Underscore the Breadth of Spanish Filmmaking

variety.com:

Anna Marie de la Fuente In its extensive coverage of Spain at Berlin, its European Film Market Country in Focus, Variety looks back at the country’s presence at this year’s EFM Co-Production Market.

The handful of Spanish titles at Berlinale’s 22nd Co-Production market was as diverse as they come. Aquí y Allí Films’ “Konbini” is a rare co-production with Japan while “Girl, Don’t Play” by Ainhoa Rodríguez calls itself an anti-film noir about female monsters. “Men and Days,” set in Barcelona and London, is a gay romantic drama while “March 14th,” a VFF Talent Highlight Award winner at the Talent Project Market, and “Death in Torrevieja” are family dramas, the latter with a murder mystery twist in a resort town.

What united the five projects, however – and this is typical of Spanish cinema made by its new generation of cineastes – is their strong social issue focus.

All five pics had their market debut at the European Film Market (EFM) where they were among some 35 feature film projects from 27 countries participating in the Co-Production Market, running Feb.