There was particularly strong interest at the Cervantes cinema, where a streamed panel discussion with Los Javis was held, as audiences were eager to see Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Penélope Cruz, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas on the big screen. "I have tried not to watch any trailers or read any reviews or anything. I'm going in blind; I want to see how it surprises me," said a young man attending the screening alone.
"The Black Ball" tells the stories of three men in three different periods, exploring sexuality, desire, pain, heritage and all those themes that Los Javis have already addressed as filmmakers. It is based on an unfinished work by Federico García Lorca, which was precisely what most caught the attention of a woman attending the premiere with her husband.
"Los Javis always surprise me so much. I've come to see it because it's Oscar-nominated, Spanish and made by them, to be honest. Lorca is fantastic, and the fact that it's an unfinished text... I really have very high expectations." While some people were entering the cinema, others were leaving with emotion in their eyes. "I'm not going to say anything, but it's fantastic. Being by Los Javis, I expected something intense, a very beautiful and emotional story; it didn't disappoint me," said a young man.
Most had heard about the film because of its media and festival attention, but some were practically going to the cinema because they had been persuaded. "My girlfriend wanted to see it, and it's true that I know a little about what it's about. I'm coming to let myself be surprised and see what Los Javis do. I'm curious to see their perspective on Lorca and the Spanish Civil War, and what different view they might have."
The film is now showing at cinemas across Zaragoza, where it will remain in theaters for at least a month.
