Chimo Bayo, a towering figure in Spanish music, once declared in a theatrical flourish, “I’m a psychopath now, arrogant, arrogant, a bastard and dangerous.” Although celebrated as the emblem of the Valencian Bakalao Route of the 80s and 90s, today he pivots from his iconic stage persona to a film role that intentionally contrasts with his public image. In a conversation with El Periódico de España, part of the Prensa Ibérica group, he described the project as a chance to explore a fictional side distinct from the real Chimo Bayo.
“He’s as charismatic as ever, and yes, some of his fans are astonishingly young,” he notes. In this new venture, the Valencian artist adopts the mantle of a ruthless, streetwise criminal, a character far from the cheerful DJ his audience associates with the late-night dance floors. The actor speaks candidly about the challenge and the relief of portraying someone outside his own legend, for the first time taking on a role that is not Chimo Bayo.
“When the night doesn’t end,” a feature film carrying a distinctly Levantine stamp, unfolds with a crew rooted in the Alicante director’s vision and Valencia’s cast. The narrative unfolds across familiar locales from the period, including the Cabanyal neighborhood and renowned venues such as Spook and Masia nightclubs. The project enjoys support from the Institut Valencià de Cultura and is part of official lineups at several regional festivals in Alicante and Elche.
The cast includes Sergio Castillo, Roberto Hoyo, Álex Monterde, Álex Peral, and Martín Doménech—young talents who were not part of the Bakalao boom, or were very small at the time. They play a group of friends who arrive in Valencia’s Turia capital and later cross paths with a criminal figure named El Holandés. Chimo Bayo is the only member of the ensemble who navigated the era that inspired the movie, lending a unique anchor to the story.
Debutants
“My partner isn’t thrilled with all my on-screen wandering,” Bayo explains with a lighthearted grin. “I really threw myself into the role, roaming the house as if I were chasing the Dutchman. I wanted to take part in this film so badly that I asked about actor compensation, even if it meant doing it for free, just to be part of it.”
The production was shot in Valencia’s most iconic settings, lending authenticity to a story steeped in the city’s late-80s energy. Other newcomers include Bill Martin Domenech and Sergio Castillo, recent drama graduates stepping into their first professional feature film. They faced the era’s challenges firsthand, including propelling a Citröen 2CV and maneuvering a vehicle whose handling differed from modern expectations. The director points out the humor and difficulty of those scenes, underscoring the actors’ commitment to accuracy.
This project also marks Óscar Montón’s first foray into fiction feature filmmaking. Montón is celebrated for his documentary work documenting Valencia’s nightlife, most notably a 2008 piece titled 72 Hours…And Valencia Was the City. The film is produced by Eme Eme Producciones and Dacsa Produccions and recently premiered at the Ocho y Medio bookstore in Madrid.
Cars Are Exploding
Montón notes the surprising moment of discovering the director’s name and reflects on the ambition of the project. Bayo finds the experience enriching and hints at future ambitions, including pursuing management to sustain a long-term film career. The ensemble photograph shows Martín Doménech, Álex Peral, and Chimo Bayo, illustrating the camaraderie that underpins the effort.
Valencia’s landscapes provided the backdrop for many key scenes. The crew shot not only in clubs where the action unfolds but also in the harbor area, recalling the final moments of the film’s arc. A vintage station wagon and a Citröen 2CV contribute to the period authenticity, while an old Volkswagen Golf GTI is repurposed for a defining sequence. The director fondly remembers the practical challenges of matching the late-80s vibe, including the technicalities of smoke and engine shrouds in the harbor scenes.
The film recreates Valencia during the late 80s and early 90s, a counterculture center of Europe that drew energy from cities like Berlin and London. The city’s nonstop rhythm is depicted alongside a legal loophole that permitted around-the-clock operation with a brief cleaning window between sets. Bayo recollects sweeping floors in the Spook club during restoration, highlighting the hands-on nature of the era and the stubborn resilience of the venues that kept nightlife alive.
The Bakalao movement, a reference point in European music history, is portrayed with its signature elements—synthetic drugs, cutting-edge electronic music, and a fierce sense of danger. The film also emphasizes the transformation of the DJ into a central figure of the party, along with matinee sessions that catered to early risers rather than late-night crowds. The portrayal aims to honor the era while presenting a nuanced, human story behind the legend.
Very Professional
Bayo recalls approaching the shoot with seriousness. He intentionally kept the dialogue focused on character names rather than real-world identities, avoiding entanglement with the fame of his contemporaries. When young cast members approached, he preferred preserving the line between actor and role, preferring to document moments after filming rather than during takes.
The behind-the-scenes work demanded a blend of dedication and curiosity from the cast. They navigated a generational gap, with Gen Z actors stepping into roles associated with a prior generation. Álex Peral explains that he, born in 1993, did not experience the Bakalao route firsthand; however, he learned about it through family stories and the broader cultural memory. The production team acknowledges this dynamic, aiming to respect the historical context while delivering an authentic performance for today’s audiences.
When asked about Valencia and the cultural landscape depicted in the film, Bayo says his personal memory of the route is hazy, yet the experience of the era left a lasting imprint. He notes that during the era he would sometimes enter booths with headphones and keep others out to protect the integrity of his sessions. The feature is scheduled for an official premiere in Valencia on October 27, with screenings planned in Castellón, Elche, Gandia, Sagunto, and Burjassot, and preliminary discussions underway in Madrid. Audiences across Spain’s Levante region can look forward to a vivid, cinematic snapshot of a defining epoch in Valencia’s night-life history.