71st San Sebastián Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinema Amidst Challenges

71st San Sebastián Film Festival: A Celebration of Cinema Amidst Challenges

Highlights of the Festival

The 71st edition of the San Sebastián Film Festival, known as one of the most prestigious and renowned film festivals globally, started last Friday and will continue till the end of the month. Despite the ongoing Hollywood writers’ and actors’ strike, the festival will showcase an impressive lineup of 232 productions. The event will be graced by the presence of famed film industry figures such as Juliette Binoche, Gabriel Byrne, Jessica Chastain, Sandrine Bonnaire, and James Norton, among others.

Local Stars and Screenings

Representing the local scene, Leonardo Sbaraglia, Dolores Fonzi, and Toto Rovito attended a premiere together. “Blondi,” an opera prima by Fonzi that delves into the intricate relationship between a mother and her son, will also be presented. Sbaraglia will also be seen in the cast of “Puan,” an Argentine film competing in the festival. The festival also hosted the presentation of the series “Nada,” which stars Luis Brandoni and Robert DeNiro, and is created and directed by Mariano Cohn and Gastón Duprat. The series will be available for streaming from October 11th.

Red Carpet Appearances and Fashion Highlights

Not only are Dolores Fonzi, Toto Rovito, and Leonardo Sabaraglia presenting “Blondi,” but they also made an appearance on the red carpet of “El sueño de la sultana”. Making her directorial debut, Fonzi chose a chic white shirt with cut-out details and a beige skirt from designer Jazmín Chebar. The male leads opted for darker tones, with Sbaraglia following the trend of suits without shirts, and Rovito choosing a more casual look in earth tones.

Support for the National Institute of Film and Audiovisual Arts

The festival has also proven to be an effective platform for actors to express their support for the National Institute of Film and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA). Alongside other artists such as Santiago Mitre, Esteban Bigliardi, María Alché, and Martín Rejtman, they posed on the steps of the Kursaal auditorium with a banner stating, “Argentine cinema united against the threats of Javier Milei”. Milei, a candidate of La Libertad Avanza, has threatened to close the INCAA and other state institutions crucial for cultural life if elected president.

Protecting the Future of Argentine Cinema

The actors’ united message is clear: they stand together to protect the future of Argentine cinema against recent threats. They express deep concern about the presidential candidate’s remarks and the potential closure of vital state institutions. The audiovisual cultural industry is highlighted for its importance as a driver of the economy, generating direct and indirect jobs with sustained employment growth over the last 15 years. The actors argue that the path forward should be to improve, strengthen, and make more efficient the policies that support and do not deactivate the film industry.