The 6th edition of Saraqusta Film Festival concludes today with screenings of both the films in competition and the non-competitive sections, following five days of screenings across the festival’s three venues.
To close out the official section, the Saraqusta Film Festival has scheduled the Spanish documentary ‘Pendaripen‘ and the Palestinian-British film ‘Palestine 36‘, both of which are in the running for Best Historical Documentary and Best Historical Feature Film. Both will be screened at the Cine Cervantes, with the first film at 7:00 p.m. and the second at 9:00 p.m.
‘Pendaripen’ means ‘history’ in Romani, and that is precisely the focus of this documentary: the chronicle of the history of one of Europe’s most persecuted peoples. In the film, Roma men and women recount their origins, centuries of discrimination and oppression, and their cultural intermingling with Black, Christian, and Moorish populations, which gave rise to a unique art form: flamenco.
The screenwriter of the film, Eva Montoya, explained at a press conference the difficulty of summarizing 600 years of history, from their expulsion from India to their entry into Spain through the Pyrenees, via Huesca. “The Romani people built themselves along the way. They were called nomads, but we were refugees from nowhere, and we built our identity from the identities of all the territories we passed through,” she stated.
Directed by Alfonso Sánchez, the documentary features interviews with Pastora Filigrana, a lawyer and activist; Esperanza Fernández, a flamenco singer; Ismael Cortés, a politician and researcher; Iván Periáñez, a researcher; Séfora Vargas, a lawyer; José Vega de los Reyes, a professor and researcher; and Beatriz Carrillo, a political scientist and activist. Together, they weave the story of the Romani community over the centuries, highlighting the oppression and persecution of the Romani people, but also their cultural richness and contribution to Spanish identity.
The Palestinian Conflict
‘Palestine 36‘ is directed by Palestinian filmmaker and poet Annemarie Jacir. Known for her work in independent film, she gained recognition in 1994 for her short film “like twenty impossibles” (2003), which was selected to compete at the Cannes International Film Festival.
Jeremy Irons (winner of an Oscar, two Golden Globes, and the Donostia Award, among many other international accolades) and Liam Cunningham (known for playing Davos Seaworth in the series Game of Thrones) lead the cast of this story that takes us back to 1936, when Palestinians launched a revolt led by farmers against British colonialism. An episode that marked the beginning of the largest and longest uprising against 30 years of British rule.
Tribute to the Band from Casetas
In the Aragonese Section, the documentary ‘Las calderas de Pedro Botero‘ was screened, a tribute to one of the legendary bands of the Aragonese music scene: Pedro Botero.
Directed by Etna N. Romero Villanueva, with a screenplay by Daniel Longás and produced by the Zaragoza-based company El Kappa, it explores the history of the iconic Aragonese heavy rock band. Over the years, many musicians have passed through the band. It is through their voices that we will learn the story of this group from its beginnings in 1973.
The director wanted to highlight the documentary work featuring previously unseen material they discovered from the band’s fans, which demonstrates the affection and what the group has meant to everyone. “Seeing the camaraderie in how they remembered that time, with such immense affection despite the passing years, has been impressive. Botero isn’t just the members, but the people who have been with them,” she stated.
For the producers, it has been a rewarding project because “our production company has always been connected to Aragonese culture and championing its role, and ‘Pedro Botero’ is a band that has made history and deserves this tribute.”
Panorama Saraqusta
The Panorama Saraqusta section closes this edition with the screening of five short films, which will be shown starting at 5:00 p.m. at the Fundación Ibercaja Patio de la Infanta: ‘Project Remi,’ about the involvement of Hergé, the creator of Tintin, and how his comic strips were instrumental in spurring the space race; ‘La sombra del piquete,’ a historical documentary recounting the battle of the village of Quinto during the Spanish Civil War; ‘Atarantada,’ a film essay on the stigma of female madness; ‘Lo mismo’ explores the meaning of wars; and finally, ‘Hasta que Dios quiera,’ about the unfolding of the Spanish Civil War in Logroño.
About Saraqusta Film Festival
Saraqusta Film Festival is co-organized by the Zaragoza City Council and Cosmos Fan, with support from the Government of Aragon as an institutional partner, the Ibercaja Foundation as the main partner, and Carné Joven de Aragón, Aragón Alimentos, and Ara Film Fest as collaborators.