We’re a week into the festival and delighted to see so many ¡Viva! films drawing in the crowds in their hundreds – Pájaros de papel, También la lluvia and Arrugas have all played to a packed out Cinema 1. Tonight looks set to be another buzzing evening with the One Hour Intro already sold out and Juan de los muertos not far off, so get there early to guarantee seats together!
We’re very much looking forward to our second guest director’s event tomorrow night, with the UK premiere of Open 24H. With stunning black-and-white cinematography and a soundtrack of industrial noises that has drawn parallels with Eraserhead, an incredibly tense atmosphere pervades this lyrical piece of social realism. As writer, director and producer, Carles Torras is perfectly positioned to answer questions from all you aspiring filmmakers, aficionados of alternative cinema and those interested in the politics and practicalities of making cinema in Catalan.
And don’t forget you can practise your Catalan language skills with Carles and others at Cafè ‘Els Quatre Gats’ on Sunday afternoon.
Here’s to another ¡Viva! fever filled week!
Jessie Gibbs
¡Viva! Festival Co-ordinator