Spanish director Alberto Serra’s latest documentary, “Tardes de Soledad,” won the prestigious Golden Shell for best film at the San Sebastian Film Festival on Saturday.
The film, which offers an intimate depiction of a day in the life of Peruvian bullfighter Andres Roca Rey, faced considerable opposition from animal rights activists but was warmly received by festival-goers. Serra expressed his gratitude to the festival organizers for selecting his film, especially in light of the campaigns against its screening led by PACMA, an animal rights group.
“Thank you for the opportunity to share this story, despite the challenges,” Serra said. PACMA criticized *Tardes de Soledad* for its depiction of bullfighting, accusing it of glorifying the practice and normalizing animal violence.
Despite the controversy, the film resonated with audiences and highlighted the complex and often romanticized tradition of bullfighting in Latin American culture.
In rare cases, the award for best director was shared between two creators: Portuguese director Laura Carreira and Spaniard Pedro Martin-Calera. Carreira, who is based in Edinburgh, won the award for her debut feature *On Falling*, which focuses on a Portuguese worker struggling with the precariousness of the gig economy in Scotland.
The film’s riveting examination of modern working conditions has garnered critical acclaim for its realism and emotional depth. Martin-Calera’s horror film *The Wailing* (*El Llanto*) about an evil force that haunts three women also received praise.
Previously known for his work in music videos, Martin-Calero marked his first foray into feature films. Earlier in the week, the festival presented a Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar, celebrating his immense contribution to cinema.
