This May, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in partnership with the Castilla y León Film Commission and the Embassy of Spain, proudly presents a curated film series that celebrates the vibrant cinema of Castilla y León. Highlighting the region’s unique narratives and local filmmaking talent, the series features films rooted in tradition, history, and the contemporary realities of Castilian-Leonese life.
The showcase includes four feature films and three short films, all scheduled for screening every Thursday throughout May at Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros, Manila. Each session will conclude with a special panel discussion with the filmmakers, joined by Kristine Guzmán, head of the Castilla y León Film Commission.
The lineup includes:
May 8, 2:00 PM
🎬 Alegre y Olé (2023, 20 min) by Clara Santaolaya
A heartfelt story about Lena and Carmen, two patients in a psychiatric center who form an unexpected and healing friendship.
Followed by:
🎬 Gallo Rojo (2024, 84 min) by Enrique García-Vázquez
Ana returns to her hometown to open a cinema and reconnects with Lucía, rekindling an old bond and a new life in the countryside.
May 15, 2:00 PM
🎬 Yo, mi, me, conmigo (2024, 14 min) by Alicia Van Assche
A documentary portrait of Nemesio, a shepherd in León living simply without modern comforts—offering a counterpoint to today’s fast-paced life.
Followed by:
🎬 Pastoris (2024, 108 min) by Pablo Moreno
A dramatic journey of Domingo, a war survivor navigating the rugged path of shepherd life and inner demons. Told in Palra, a regional Leonese dialect.
May 22, 2:00 PM
🎬 Las calles de Granada (2023, 14 min) by Isabel Medarde
Set during a 1941 town fiesta, two girls dramatically reenact a folk song through a real-life dance-floor rivalry.
Followed by:
🎬 Secundarias (2023, 81 min) by Arturo Dueñas
A single-take film following a group of actresses preparing a historical play. But as tensions rise, the line between performance and reality blurs.
May 29, 2:00 PM
La Controversia de Valladolid (2023, 70 min) by Juan Rodríguez-Briso
Revisiting the 16th-century debate between Bartolomé de las Casas and Ginés de Sepúlveda, this thought-provoking film explores the origins of the Human Rights discourse.
All films are in Spanish with English subtitles and will be screened at Instituto Cervantes’ Intramuros branch (855 Calle Real, San Luis Complex, Manila).
Admission is free, with seats available on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more details, visit www.manila.cervantes.es or follow Instituto Cervantes Manila on Facebook: facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila
