Spanish film "La bola negra" to open Helsinki Film Festival

The Spanish film "La bola negra," directed by Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo, has been selected to open the 39th Helsinki International Film Festival (HIFF) on September 17. The festival, affectionately known as "Amor y Anarquía" among cinephiles, highlighted the film's elegant narrative of undeclared homosexuality, weaving together three distinct timelines.

The film's story spans from the 1930s to the present day, delving into the allure of fascism, the literary works of Federico García Lorca, and the complexities of love. The HIFF noted that "La bola negra," which previously earned Ambrossi and Calvo the best director award at the Cannes Film Festival, "plunges into the depths of a hidden story and resurfaces as a beautiful love story."

“

The story begins in the 1930s and reaches the current century, while exploring the attraction of fascism, the literature of Federico García Lorca, and the mysteries of love.

This is the second instance in the festival's 39-year history that a Spanish film has been chosen to open the event. The first was Pedro Almodóvar's "The Skin I Live In" in 2011. "La bola negra" features a cast including Spanish singer Guitarricadelafuente in his acting debut, Penélope Cruz, Milo Quifes, Carlos González, and Miguel Bernardeau. The film is based on the unfinished work of the same name by Spanish poet Federico García Lorca.

Following its screening at Cannes, "La bola negra" received over 15 minutes of applause, with international critics praising it as "captivating" and "exciting."

“

plunges into the depths of a hidden story and resurfaces as a beautiful love story.