On September 24, the 11th “Spanish Cinema Line” Festival kicked off at the “Zhovten” movie theater in Kyiv; it will run through September 30 and feature five notable Spanish films from recent years.
The festival is supported by the Spanish Embassy in Ukraine and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), in collaboration with the film company “Arthouse Traffic.” Information about the participation of the Spanish Embassy and AECID is also featured on the festival’s official poster.
The organizers note that the project aims to introduce Ukrainian audiences to contemporary Spanish cinema.
The festival opened on September 24 with a screening of “Bitter Christmas” (Amarga Navidad), the new film by two-time Oscar winner Pedro Almodóvar. The film blends drama and comedy and tells the story of an artist experiencing a creative crisis who draws on events from his own life and the lives of his loved ones for his screenplay. The film was presented at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the award for Best Soundtrack, and was also included in the program of the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival.
The “Lines of Spanish Cinema” program also includes the crime comedy *Who’s Pulling the String* by Arancha Echevarría, the drama *Black Bullet* by the directing duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrosi, the animated film *Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake* by Irene Iborra, and the drama *Sirat* by Oliver Lasche.
“Who’s Pulling the String,” scheduled for screening on September 25 and 29, tells the story of a former talent show contestant who, due to financial problems, agrees to take part in the theft of a valuable painting. The film was part of the official program of the Málaga Film Festival.
On September 26, the “October” cinema will host a special screening of “The Black Bullet”—a story linked to the figure of Federico García Lorca and the writer’s unfinished manuscript. The film was directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrosi.
Two screenings are scheduled for September 27. The family animated film *Olivia and the Invisible Earthquake* tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who, along with her younger brother and mother, is forced to leave her home. To help her brother cope with fear and uncertainty, Olivia transforms their new reality into an imaginary “movie shoot.” The film will be screened with a Ukrainian dub.
On the same day, audiences will be treated to Oliver Lasche’s “Sirat”—one of the most notable recent Spanish festival films, produced in collaboration with Pedro and Agustina Almodóvar.
According to the current schedule, repeat screenings of “Bitter Christmas” will take place on September 28 and 30, and “Who’s Playing Whom” on September 29. All major feature films are shown in their original language with Ukrainian subtitles.
After Kyiv, the festival will continue in Lviv: from October 12 to 16, screenings will take place at the “Planeta Kino” cinema in the Forum Lviv shopping and entertainment center.
“Spanish Cinema Line” is being held in Ukraine for the eleventh time and is one of the cultural projects aimed at introducing contemporary Spanish culture to Ukrainian audiences.
CINEMA, FESTIVAL, KYIV, SPAIN, Альмодовар
