Spanish director Albert Serra's latest documentary, "Tardes de Soledad", clinched the prestigious Golden Shell for Best Film at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Saturday.
The film, which offers an intimate portrayal of a day in the life of Peruvian bullfighter Andres Roca Rey, faced significant backlash from animal rights activists, but was warmly received by festivalgoers.
Serra expressed his gratitude to the festival organizers for choosing his film, particularly in light of the campaigns against its screening led by PACMA, an animal rights group. "Thank you for this opportunity to share this story, despite the challenges," said Serra. PACMA had criticized *Tardes de Soledad* for its depiction of bullfighting, accusing it of glorifying the practice and normalizing violence towards animals.
Despite the controversy, the film resonated with audiences, drawing attention to the complex and often romanticized tradition of bullfighting in Latin American culture.
In a rare occurrence, the festival’s Best Director award was split between two filmmakers: Portuguese director Laura Carreira and Spain’s Pedro Martin-Calero.
Carreira, who is based in Edinburgh, was recognized for her debut feature, *On Falling*, which focuses on a Portuguese worker grappling with the uncertainties of the gig economy in Scotland. The film's poignant exploration of modern labor conditions has garnered critical acclaim for its realism and emotional depth.
Martin-Calero’s *The Wailing* (*El Llanto*), a horror film about an evil force that haunts three women, also won praise. Known previously for his work in music videos, this marked Martin-Calero’s first foray into feature films.
Earlier in the week, the festival awarded a lifetime achievement award to legendary Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, celebrating his immense contribution to cinema.
