The Basque Ball

Directed by Julio Medem

The top selling film at the recent ¡Viva! Spanish Film Festival. Hugely controversial in Spain (under the previous government), Medem’s first feature documentary is a subjective, intelligent, complex but compelling call for dialogue and peace in search of the elusive answer to the ‘Basque Question’ (regarding nationalism, separatism, and terrorism). Mixing poetic imagery, startling (at times shocking) cross-cutting, around 70 interviews, evocative archive imagery and emotive shots of the landscape, the San Sebastian-born director explores what it means to be Basque. Following recent events in Spain, Medem’s documentary is more vital than ever.

Duration:
115 minutes

Country of origin:
Spain

Year of production:
2003