Official
Sponsor
Media
Partner

close
Complete this form with your details for accessing the contents reserved for registered users
Click here
Forgotten your password? Click here

close


You have still not activated your email. We have sent you an email. You must click on the attached link to activate your account.

You are in: Home > 2015. 63rd Edition  > Sections and Films
Official Selection
2015. 63rd Edition
Films
Films
Official Selection
Official Selection
Les Chevaliers Blancs / The White Knights / The White Knights
Joachim Lafosse
Belgium - France 
Joachim Lafosse brings to the screen the Zoe’s Ark controversy which made headlines in 2007: a story about the limits of the right of interference. Jacques Arnault, head of Sud Secours NGO, is planning a high impact operation: he and his team are going to exfiltrate 300 orphans victims of Chadian civil war and bring them to French adoption applicants. Françoise Dubois, ...

Joachim Lafosse brings to the screen the Zoe’s Ark controversy which made headlines in 2007: a story about the limits of the right of interference. Jacques Arnault, head of Sud Secours NGO, is planning a high impact operation: he and his team are going to exfiltrate 300 orphans victims of Chadian civil war and bring them to French adoption applicants. Françoise Dubois, a journalist, is invited to come along with them and handle the media coverage for this operation. Completely immersed in the brutal reality of a country at war, the NGO members start losing their convictions and are faced with the limits of humanitarian intervention.

Opening Night Film
Regression
Alejandro Amenábar
Spain - Canada 
Not in competition
Minnesota, 1990. Detective Bruce Kenner investigates the case of young Angela, who accuses her father, John Gray, of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery. 

Minnesota, 1990. Detective Bruce Kenner investigates the case of young Angela, who accuses her father, John Gray, of an unspeakable crime. When John unexpectedly and without recollection admits guilt, renowned psychologist Dr. Raines is brought in to help him relive his memories and what they discover unmasks a horrifying nationwide mystery. 

Closing Night Film
London Road
Rufus Norris
UK 
Not in competition
A feature film adaptation of the ground-breaking work during two sell-out runs at the National Theatre that documents the events that shook Suffolk in 2006, when the quiet rural town of Ipswich was shattered by the discovery of the bodies of five women. The film follows the community who found themselves at the epicentre of the tragic events. 

A feature film adaptation of the ground-breaking work during two sell-out runs at the National Theatre that documents the events that shook Suffolk in 2006, when the quiet rural town of Ipswich was shattered by the discovery of the bodies of five women. The film follows the community who found themselves at the epicentre of the tragic events. 

21 nuits avec Pattie / 21 Nights with Pattie
Jean-Marie Larrieu, Arnaud Larrieu
France 
French directors Jean-Marie and Arnaud Larrieu's new film tells the story of Caroline, a woman who cuts her vacation short to organise the funeral of her mother, Isabelle, who has died suddenly at her house in the Pyrenees. She befriends Pattie who looks after her mother's house. But her funeral preparations take an unexpected twist when her mother’s body my...

French directors Jean-Marie and Arnaud Larrieu's new film tells the story of Caroline, a woman who cuts her vacation short to organise the funeral of her mother, Isabelle, who has died suddenly at her house in the Pyrenees. She befriends Pattie who looks after her mother's house. But her funeral preparations take an unexpected twist when her mother’s body mysteriously disappears.

Amama / When a Tree Falls
Asier Altuna Iza
Spain 
The latest film from the Basque moviemaker, Asier Altuna. A family tale of conflict between the urban and rural worlds, past and present, parents and children. Two different ways of understanding life, and a grandmother who observes the world from deeply eloquent silence. Starring Iraia Elias, Amparo Badiola, Ander Lipus, Manu Uranga, Kandido Uranga and Klara Badiola.

The latest film from the Basque moviemaker, Asier Altuna. A family tale of conflict between the urban and rural worlds, past and present, parents and children. Two different ways of understanding life, and a grandmother who observes the world from deeply eloquent silence. Starring Iraia Elias, Amparo Badiola, Ander Lipus, Manu Uranga, Kandido Uranga and Klara Badiola.

Xiang bei fang / Back to the North
Liu Hao
China 
Xiao Ai is diagnosed with a terminal illness and does not have long to live. She is concerned that her parents will become a "lost family" and have no one to take care of them after her death, so she decides to persuade them to have another child... The latest film by Liu Hao, who competed at San Sebastian in 2010 with Addicted to Love.

Xiao Ai is diagnosed with a terminal illness and does not have long to live. She is concerned that her parents will become a "lost family" and have no one to take care of them after her death, so she decides to persuade them to have another child... The latest film by Liu Hao, who competed at San Sebastian in 2010 with Addicted to Love.

Bakemono no ko / The Boy and the Beast
Mamoru Hosoda
Japan 
The latest film from the master of anime, Mamoru Hosoda is the first animatied film to compete at the San Sebastian Film Festival Official Selection. Kyuta is a solitary boy who lives in Tokyo, and Kumatetsu is a supernatural creature isolated in an imaginary world. One day the boy crosses the border into the imaginary world and makes friends with Kumatetsu, who becomes his fri...

The latest film from the master of anime, Mamoru Hosoda is the first animatied film to compete at the San Sebastian Film Festival Official Selection. Kyuta is a solitary boy who lives in Tokyo, and Kumatetsu is a supernatural creature isolated in an imaginary world. One day the boy crosses the border into the imaginary world and makes friends with Kumatetsu, who becomes his friend and spiritual guide. The encounter opens the way to all sorts of adventures.

El Apóstata / The Apostate
Federico Veiroj
Spain - Uruguay - France 
The third feature film by Federico Veiroj tells the tale of a young boy desperate to escape the faith passed down from his parents as he looks back over his past, his scars, the marks left by guilt and desire. Starring Álvaro Ogalla, Bárbara Lennie, Marta Larralde, Juan Calot, Kaiet Rodríguez, Joaquín Climent and Vicky Peña.

The third feature film by Federico Veiroj tells the tale of a young boy desperate to escape the faith passed down from his parents as he looks back over his past, his scars, the marks left by guilt and desire. Starring Álvaro Ogalla, Bárbara Lennie, Marta Larralde, Juan Calot, Kaiet Rodríguez, Joaquín Climent and Vicky Peña.

El rey de La Habana / The King of Havana
Agustí Villaronga
Spain - Dominican Rep. 
Agustí Villaronga adapts the novel of the same name by Pedro Juan Gutiérrez. Recently escaped from reformatory, young Reinaldo tries to get by in the streets of Havana in the late 90s, one of the worst decades for Cuban society. Hopes, disillusionment, rum, good humour and above all hunger, accompany him in his wanderings until he meets Magda and Yunisleidy, survivors like hi...

Agustí Villaronga adapts the novel of the same name by Pedro Juan Gutiérrez. Recently escaped from reformatory, young Reinaldo tries to get by in the streets of Havana in the late 90s, one of the worst decades for Cuban society. Hopes, disillusionment, rum, good humour and above all hunger, accompany him in his wanderings until he meets Magda and Yunisleidy, survivors like himself. In one or the other's arms, he will try to escape the material and moral misery surrounding him, living love, passion, tenderness and uninhibited sex to the limit. 



Eva no duerme / Eva Doesn't Sleep
Pablo Agüero
France - Argentina - Spain 
Films in Progress 27
Evita Perón has died. She is the most loved, but also the most hated political figure of Argentina. A leading expert is given the task of embalming her. After months of hard work, the result is perfect. Meanwhile in Argentina, the coups come one after the other and some dictators want to delete Evita’s legacy from the people’s memory. Her body therefore becomes the focal p...

Evita Perón has died. She is the most loved, but also the most hated political figure of Argentina. A leading expert is given the task of embalming her. After months of hard work, the result is perfect. Meanwhile in Argentina, the coups come one after the other and some dictators want to delete Evita’s legacy from the people’s memory. Her body therefore becomes the focal point of clashes lasting for 25 years. 25 years during which Evita was a more powerful figure than any other living politician.

Evolution
Lucile Hadzihalilovic
France - Belgium - Spain 
After winning the New Directors award in 2004 with Innocence, Lucile Hadzihalilovic returns to the San Sebastian Festival with her new film. On a remote island inhabited solely by women and young boys, Nicolas and the other boys are subjected to mysterious and sinister medical treatments.

After winning the New Directors award in 2004 with Innocence, Lucile Hadzihalilovic returns to the San Sebastian Festival with her new film. On a remote island inhabited solely by women and young boys, Nicolas and the other boys are subjected to mysterious and sinister medical treatments.

Freeheld
Peter Sollett
USA 
Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell and Josh Charles star in this film based on the Oscar®-winning short documentary and adapted by the writer of Philadelphia. The true love story of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned ...

Julianne Moore, Ellen Page, Michael Shannon, Steve Carell and Josh Charles star in this film based on the Oscar®-winning short documentary and adapted by the writer of Philadelphia. The true love story of Laurel Hester and Stacie Andree and their fight for justice. A decorated New Jersey police detective, Laurel is diagnosed with cancer and wants to leave her hard earned pension to her domestic partner, Stacie. However the county officials, Freeholders, conspire to prevent Laurel from doing this. Hard-nosed detective Dane Wells, and activist Steven Goldstein, unite in Laurel and Stacie’s defence, rallying police officers and ordinary citizens to support their struggle for equality.

High-Rise
Ben Wheatley
UK 
British director Ben Wheatley presents his last work, based on J.G. Ballard's novel of the same name. Dr. Robert Laing moves into his new apartment seeking soulless anonymity, only to find that the building's residents have no intention of leaving him alone.  As he struggles to establish his position, Laing's good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the ...

British director Ben Wheatley presents his last work, based on J.G. Ballard's novel of the same name. Dr. Robert Laing moves into his new apartment seeking soulless anonymity, only to find that the building's residents have no intention of leaving him alone.  As he struggles to establish his position, Laing's good manners and sanity disintegrate along with the building.

Les démons / The Demons
Philippe Lesage
Canada 
While a series of kidnappings of young boys is raging in Montreal, Félix, 10, finished school in Old Longueuil, an ordinary suburb of peaceful appearance. Imaginative and sensitive, Félix, like many children, is afraid of everything. Little by little, the childhood imaginary demons mix with demons of a disturbing reality.

While a series of kidnappings of young boys is raging in Montreal, Félix, 10, finished school in Old Longueuil, an ordinary suburb of peaceful appearance. Imaginative and sensitive, Félix, like many children, is afraid of everything. Little by little, the childhood imaginary demons mix with demons of a disturbing reality.

Moira
Levan Tutberidze
Georgia 
This is a dramatic story of the family living in the seaside city. After Mamuka is released from prison, he tries to rescue his family from poverty. His mother is working abroad, his father is wheelchair-ridden, and his unemployed younger brother appears to be attracted by criminals. Mamuka takes out a loan and buys a small fishing boat. But fate is often blind and merciless

This is a dramatic story of the family living in the seaside city. After Mamuka is released from prison, he tries to rescue his family from poverty. His mother is working abroad, his father is wheelchair-ridden, and his unemployed younger brother appears to be attracted by criminals. Mamuka takes out a loan and buys a small fishing boat. But fate is often blind and merciless

Sparrows
Rúnar Rúnarsson
Iceland - Denmark - Croatia 
A coming-of-age story about the 16-year old boy Ari, who has been living with his mother in Reykjavik and is suddenly sent back to the remote Westfjords to live with his father Gunnar. There, he has to navigate a difficult relationship with his father, and he finds his childhood friends changed. In these hopeless and declining surroundings, Ari has to step up and find his way.

A coming-of-age story about the 16-year old boy Ari, who has been living with his mother in Reykjavik and is suddenly sent back to the remote Westfjords to live with his father Gunnar. There, he has to navigate a difficult relationship with his father, and he finds his childhood friends changed. In these hopeless and declining surroundings, Ari has to step up and find his way.

Sunset Song
Terence Davies
UK - Luxembourg 
An intimate epic of hope, tragedy and love at the dawning of the Great War, adapted from the Scottish novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon and directed by Terence Davies.

An intimate epic of hope, tragedy and love at the dawning of the Great War, adapted from the Scottish novel by Lewis Grassic Gibbon and directed by Terence Davies.

Truman
Cesc Gay
Spain - Argentina 
Cesc Gay's new film, starring Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara, revolves around the relationship between two friends: Julian receives an unexpected visit from his friend Tomás, who lives in Canada. For four intense days, the two men, accompanied by Julian's faithful dog, Truman, will share emotional and surprising moments prompted by Julián's complicated situatio...

Cesc Gay's new film, starring Ricardo Darín and Javier Cámara, revolves around the relationship between two friends: Julian receives an unexpected visit from his friend Tomás, who lives in Canada. For four intense days, the two men, accompanied by Julian's faithful dog, Truman, will share emotional and surprising moments prompted by Julián's complicated situation. 

Un dia perfecte per volar / A perfect day to fly
Marc Recha
Spain 
Marc Recha presents his latest film, starring his son Roc and Sergi López. In a lonely spot, a boy flies a kite made by his father. It's windy and the boy needs an adult to help him untangle it from the vegetation and keep it flying. In the middle of nature, they tell a special tale.

Marc Recha presents his latest film, starring his son Roc and Sergi López. In a lonely spot, a boy flies a kite made by his father. It's windy and the boy needs an adult to help him untangle it from the vegetation and keep it flying. In the middle of nature, they tell a special tale.

Mi gran noche / My Great Night
Álex de la Iglesia
Spain 
Not in competition
Jose, unemployed, is sent by a temp agency to work as an extra for the recording of a special New Year's Eve programme, in mid August. Hundreds of people like him have been shut indoors day and night for a week and a half while they pretend to laugh, stupidly celebrating the false arrival of the New Year. Is there place for love amid the uncontrollable chaos? An ensemble co...

Jose, unemployed, is sent by a temp agency to work as an extra for the recording of a special New Year's Eve programme, in mid August. Hundreds of people like him have been shut indoors day and night for a week and a half while they pretend to laugh, stupidly celebrating the false arrival of the New Year. Is there place for love amid the uncontrollable chaos? An ensemble comedy from Álex de la Iglesia on which the diva crooner Raphel joins an impressive cast: Carlos Areces, Carolina Bang, Luis Callejo, Mario Casas, Carmen Machi, Pepón Nieto, Terele Pávez, Ana Polvorosa, Carmen Ruiz, Hugo Silva, Santiago Segura, Blanca Suárez, Antonio Velázquez and Enrique Villén.

Lejos del mar / Far From the Sea
Imanol Uribe
Spain 
Special Screenings
Imanol Uribe reflects in his latest film on the drama of people confronted with the horrors of the past. When Santi is released from jail he travels south to visit his friend and former cellmate Emilio, afflicted with a terminal illness. Unexpectedly, he runs into Marina, the doctor caring for his friend, with whom Santi had a terrible encounter many years back that has affecte...

Imanol Uribe reflects in his latest film on the drama of people confronted with the horrors of the past. When Santi is released from jail he travels south to visit his friend and former cellmate Emilio, afflicted with a terminal illness. Unexpectedly, he runs into Marina, the doctor caring for his friend, with whom Santi had a terrible encounter many years back that has affected both of their lives ever since. This meeting will revive the horrors of the past. Elena Anaya and Eduard Fernández headline the cast.

No estamos solos
Pere Joan Ventura
Spain 
Special Screenings
An ensemble tale of people who, alone or as a crowd, from their district or a university dais, stir up life in Spanish cities every day.

An ensemble tale of people who, alone or as a crowd, from their district or a university dais, stir up life in Spanish cities every day.

Official Sponsor
Media Partner
Official Collaborators:
Associated Institutions:
© San Sebastian International Film Festival | Developed by: Yo Miento Producciones