In 2017, Alberto, a struggling playwright, tries to piece together his grandfather’s story. In 1939, Sebastián unenthusiastically joined the Fascist forces, then fell in love with Rafael, a POW fighting for the other side.
The writer-directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, legends of episodic TV in Spain, connect the three characters through an unfinished Federico García Lorca play. They ingeniously weave together the fragments of story across time with astonishing clarity and wit, syncopating the entangled themes of politics, sexuality, and theater. The directors take full advantage of the expanded canvas of the cinema turning a moment of Spain’s bloody history into a joyous celebration of the indestructible flame of romantic passion. The film is also complemented with engaging cameos by Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close.
Winner of the Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the Audience Award at the Toronto International Film Festival, and the film is Spain’s submission for consideration for the Best International Film Oscar. 2026, Spain/France, DCP, in Spanish with English subtitles, 155 minutes. Rated R.