El Malaga Festival, held between March 1 and 10 this year, has once again stood out as one of the main showcases of the Spanish cinema and Ibero-American. This new edition brought with it premieres of great cultural and narrative impact, consolidating the festival as an essential reference for lovers of the seventh art in our language. Throughout the event, the jury and the public were delighted with a variety of titles that addressed multiple themes, from family conflicts to deep social reflections. Here we review the Most awarded Spanish films at the Malaga Film Festival, which promise to be the next big hits in movie theaters.
Second prize
The film Second prize, directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, was the great protagonist of this edition, winning the prize Golden Biznaga for Best Spanish Film. In addition, he received recognition for Best Direction and Best Mounting, which reinforces its technical and narrative quality.
Set in Granada in the late 90s, the film follows an indie music group going through a difficult period: the bassist leaves the band, the guitarist falls into a spiral of self-destruction and the singer faces the arduous challenge of composing and recording his third album. Although many associate it with the legendary band Los Planetas, Second prize builds a fiction that, although inspired, does not pretend to be a faithful portrait. The film reflects the complexities of friendship, art and music, making a nod to the emblematic settings of Granada.
The little loves
El Special Jury Award and Silver Biznaga for Best Supporting Actress they went for The little loves, a beloved film by Celia Rico, starring Adriana Ozores and Maria Vazquez. The film explores the relationship between a mother and her daughter which, despite seeming simple, becomes a profound reflection on coexistence, family ties and emotional redemption.
The story shows how Teresa, played by María Vázquez, changes her plans to take care of her mother (Adriana Ozores), who is convalescing after an accident. What begins as a routine summer in the stifling heat of southern Spain, slowly turns into a emotional journey who rediscovers the value of conversations and everyday moments.
The house
One of the titles that captured the public's attention was The house, directed by Álex Montoya. Moving, nostalgic and deeply human, this film won awards Best Screenplay (work by Álex Montoya and Joana Martínez Ortueta), Best music (Fernando Velázquez) and the award chosen by the public, the Audience Award.
Adaptation of the graphic novel of the same name by Paco Roca, The house tells the story of three siblings who meet after the death of their father to decide the fate of the family home. During this process, tensions, memories and moments of reflection emerge that turn the house into a silent witness to their family history and the inexorable passage of time.
Nina
Nina, directed by Andrea Jaurrieta, was recognized with the Special Critics' Jury Prize. This film addresses one of the most sensitive issues in today's society: sexual abuse and the complicit silences that perpetuate it. Through a bold and technically elaborate approach, Nina uses elements of the modern western, color and music as fundamental tools to tell the story.
The plot centers on Nina, who returns to her hometown with a single purpose: to take revenge on Pedro, a writer who is greatly admired in the town. However, the encounter with her personal history and an old friend leads her to rethink the value of revenge versus the possibility of healing the wounds of the past.
The Malaga Film Festival not only offered a platform for these outstanding Spanish productions, but also celebrated Ibero-American talent and the potential of cinema as a tool to reflect on our society. Films such as Radical o Wild, wild, by international filmmakers, also left a deep mark on this edition. The next time you go to the cinema, consider including some of these gems and immerse yourself in the moving stories that are redefining Spanish-language cinema.