Sebastian Golden: Last News

Emiliano De Pablos Post-COVID, Spanish sales companies look poised for a comeback to the global scene. Although, as Berlin’s EFM has gone virtual once again, their long-awaited physical reunion with the international industry will have to wait until Cannes… hopefully.An argument for optimism: Spanish-language films continue gaining ground on the global market, especially as platforms boom.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent La Termita Films, the production label of double San Sebastian Golden Shell winners Isaki Lacuesta and Isa Campo, has struck a production alliance with Accidental Films, the newly formed label founded by Sara Gonzalo, managing director over 2011-24 of production powerhouse Bambu Producciones. The alliance catches Lacuesta and Campo at new career highs, Lacuesta having directed Berlin competition player “One Year, One Night” and “Saturn Return,” a Spanish Film and Direction winner at March’s Malaga Festival which has just been selected as Spain’s entry in the International Feature Oscar race; Campo co-wrote Iciar Bollain’s anticipated “I’m Nevenka,” which world premieres in San Sebastian main competition this weekend.

John Hopewell Chief International Correspondent One of the most awaited of Spanish films in this year’s San Sebastian main competition, Iciar Bollain’s “I Am Nevenka,” has a trailer, shared in exclusivity with Variety. Written with Isa Campo, a co-scribe on two San Sebastian Golden Shell winners, 2011’s “The Double Steps” and 2018’s “Between Two Waters,” and sold by Film Factory Entertainment, “I Am Nevenka” is inspired by true events: the case of Nevenka Fernández, a member of the Ponferrada City Council who in 2001 became the first woman in Spain to win a court case for sexual harassment against a high-ranking politician – her ex boyfriend and all-powerful Ponferrada mayor Ismael Alvárez. She won, however, at a price, fighting her case almost on her own, in the face of the opposition of most of her colleagues and branded a social climber by the media, or a whore.

Ed Meza @edmezavar Isaki Lacuesta has returned to the Malaga Film Festival with his highly anticipated rock band drama “Saturn Return” (“Segundo Premio”), a fabled account of iconic Spanish group Los Planetas and their struggle to make their legendary third album,“Una semana en un motor de un autobús.” The film, which the award-winning filmmaker directed with Pol Rodríguez and wrote with Fernando Navarro, stars Daniel Ibáñez, Stéphanie Magnin and musician-turned-actor Cristalino. “Saturn Returns” screened in competition in Malaga, where Lacuesta and Isa Campo, double San Sebastian Golden Shell winners, won the best director Silver Biznaga for their 2016 mystery drama “The Next Skin.” Speaking to Variety, Lacuesta explains how the film is not about Los Planetas but rather about the legend of the band and the mystique they themselves have cultivated over the years. Indeed, the story of “Saturn Return” is largely based on the band’s songs.

Emiliano De Pablos Madrid-based Zeta Studios, the producer behind worldwide hit series “Élite,” HBO Max’s “García!,” Movistar Plus’ “Reyes de la noche” and Prime Video’s “Días Mejores,” has teamed with double San Sebastián Golden Shell winner director Isaki Lacuesta for TV drama project “El hijo del chófer” (“The Chauffeur’s Son”). Lacuesta will direct and write the series alongside writer-director Isa Campo, and “Días mejores” creator and “Fariña” scribe Cristóbal Garrido. The project is currently in a development and looking for financing.