The anti-bullfights marked the beginning of the 72nd edition of the San Sebastian International Film Festival (SSFF) with his attacks on the competition and the most appreciated Spanish director in other countries such as France, Albert Serra (Pacification), who will present his new film at the ZinemaldiaAnimal rights activists have attacked Spain’s major cinema showcase – through which in 2024 stars of the calibre of Johnny Depp, Lupita Nyong’o, Paolo Sorrentin, Pamela Anderson either Monica Bellucci– by the band Lonely afternoons, What does a Peruvian bullfighter follow during a working day? Andres Roca Rey. Lonely afternoons contest the Golden shell.
The Animalist Party PACMA spoke out against the creative and artistic freedom of the director by asking the Festival to removal of the projection because “it humanizes a violent practice.” The anti-bullfighting left insists that “this type of representation raises serious ethical concerns” and thus ignores the fact that the director has already explained that the objective of the film was mainly aesthetic. Furthermore, it is a documentary, that is, it has not incorporated animals into the production, but rather brings together real scenes that would occur with or without a camera.
The San Sebastian Festival, which begins this Friday and will close on September 28 with the presentation of the Donostia Prize, has not commented on the criticism of animal rights activists who want to spoil the premiere of Albert Serra’s film. The filmmaker has not responded at this time either. However, PACMA insists on a cause with which it tarnishes the first category competition.
Zinemaldia is the most important festival celebrated in Spain and in all the countries of speak spanishone of the most prestigious of Europe and it is, in turn, one of the seven European festivals and the fourteen world of the highest category. It is one of the most relevant cultural events for the country, both nationally and internationally.
“No one is a prophet in his own country”
Precisely one of the last Donostia Prize was Juliette Binoche (2022), which has taken advantage of several media projection opportunities in Spain to claim the work of Albert Serra and highlight the little importance given to his work in Spain, despite its great importance in other territories – “no one is a prophet in their country” -. The latest awards have gone to international stars such as Marion Cotillard, Judi Dench, Sigourney Weaver either Ethan Hawke. This year they will get it back. Javier Bardem -who will receive it a year late since he won it in 2023, but was absent due to the actors’ strike in the United States- and Pedro Almodovar And Cate Blanchett (2024).
The official jury will be composed of the Argentine writer and journalist Leila GuerrieroAmerican actor and director Fran Kranzthe greek filmmaker Christos Nikou -who competed last year in the Official Section-, the Austrian director Ulrich Seild and the French producer Carole Scotta. It is chaired by the director Jaione Cambordawinner of the last edition of the Golden Shell for Or Corno.
