San Sebastian (Spain) (AFP)
The film "Maixabel", which tells the story of the rapprochement between the widow of a politician assassinated by ETA and two of his assassins, was greeted on Saturday with a large ovation but also with emotion at the film festival which takes place. is held in the Basque city of San Sebastián.
"Maixabel", which is in official competition at the Festival, is a new example of the encounter of Spanish cinema with the conflict in the Basque Country and the armed independence organization ETA, after its appearance on the small screen with the television series "Patria" .
The film is a Spanish production, directed by Iciar Bollain and whose main roles are held by Blanca Portillo (notably "best actress" at Cannes for the film "Volver") and Luis Tosar.
ETA ended the armed struggle in 2011, after four decades of violence.
Ten years later, "today there is much more freedom of speech on the subject, and people are talking," said Iciar Bollain at a press conference.
"Maixabel" tells the true story of Maixabel Lasa (Blanca Portillo), widow of socialist politician Jose Maria Jauregui, and the repentance of two of the three ETA members who participated in his assassination in 2000, Luis Carrasco (Urko Olazabal) and Ibon Etxezarreta (Luis Tosar).
The film was initially intended as a documentary, before the producers finally opted for fiction.
It particularly affects San Sebastian, which, like the rest of the Basque Country, has lived for forty years under the constant threat of attacks that have left hundreds dead and thousands injured, kidnappings and extortion.
The Festival, which will run until September 25 and will host 170 films, opened with “One Second” by Chinese director Zhang Yimou.
The first Latin American film of this year's selection, "Camila will be released tonight", by Argentina's Ines Barrionuevo will compete on Sunday.
© 2021 AFP