Bullfighting Doc Triumphs at San Sebastian: A Cinematic Exploration of Solitude

Ah, September in San Sebastián—a month when the sun seems to shine a bit brighter, if only to illuminate the glitz and glamour of the film festival. It's a cinematic extravaganza where the stars of yesteryear rub shoulders with the talents of tomorrow, and this year's edition was no exception, held on a delightful evening where hope and ambition mingled like old friends.

This year's Golden Shell for Best Film was snagged by the remarkably introspective documentary titled Afternoons of Solitude, directed by the flamboyant Spanish master of storytelling, Albert Serra. Imagine the lonesome allure of bullfighting captured through a lens that oscillates between delight and melancholy. It’s as if Serra invited us to witness the dance of life and death, but he forgot to send the invite to the bulls. A twist of irony, indeed!

Meanwhile, the Special Jury Prize graced The Last Showgirl, a cinematic ode to nostalgia and fading fame directed by the talented Gia Coppola. Starring none other than the ever-glamorous Pamela Anderson, it tells the poignant story of a Las Vegas showgirl staring into the mirror of her career, wondering if it’s time to hang up her sequins and retire into the sunset. Spoiler alert: if you’re still wearing those sparkles in your 50s, perhaps it's time for a wardrobe change!

The competition jury, presided over by the illustrious Jaione Camborda—who, yes, remembers what it’s like to hold that Golden Shell—bestowed the Silver Shell for Best Director jointly to two bright stars on the rise: Laura Carreira for On Falling and Pedro Martín Calero for The Wailing. The former, a gentle exploration of a Portuguese factory worker navigating life in Scotland, urges us to consider the plight of those who toil in the shadows. And The Wailing? Well, it delves into the horrors of gender violence, which is more terrifying than any horror film I've seen—sorry, Stephen King!

The festival also honored Patricia López Arnaiz with the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance for her role in Glimmers. In this introspective drama directed by Pilar Palomero, Patricia plays a divorced woman who, despite her bitterness, must reconnect with her ailing ex-husband. A sweet mix of sympathy and exasperation, if you will—a delicate balance that deserves applause, or perhaps a standing ovation!

Let's not forget the equally charming French actor Pierre Lottin, who took home the Silver Shell for Best Supporting Performance for When Fall Is Coming. The film also won the jury prize for Best Screenplay, proving that when life gives you lemons, you might as well make an Oscar-worthy screenplay.

And of course, who could overlook the Audience Award? Presented this year to The Marching Band, a tale about twins united by their love of music, directed by Emmanuel Courcol. It also came with a generous check of €50,000 for distribution—because nothing says “let’s celebrate” quite like a fountain of cash!

As we raise our glasses and wipe our tears, let’s not forget the inspiring Audience Award for Best European Film, awarded to The Seed of the Sacred Fig by the magnificent Mohammad Rasoulof. His haunting storytelling combines elements of culture and humanity, earning well-deserved accolades and a tidy sum for distribution. It seems even the fig tree has its day!

To wrap it all in a neat bow, we had delights like Piet Baumgartner’s Bagger Drama winning the Kutxabank-New Directors Award, and a special mention for Antón Álvarez’s documentary La Guitarra Flamenca De Yerai Cortés. And I must say, any festival that celebrates the glitter and grit of film is worth a toast—unless, of course, there’s no wine.

So here’s to cinematic tales that sprinkle a bit of magic on our mundane lives. We’ll be waiting, pens at the ready, for the next story that stirs our emotions while cleverly, yet humorously, peeling back the layers of life. As they say in the movies: “That’s a wrap!”