Elena Lopez Riera has built an international career since his first short film Orihuela, created in 1982. The director premiered Citypremiered at the Cannes Directors’ Fortnight in 2015; Visceral film second, Viscera at the Locarno Festival in Switzerland; the third film Those Who Want, Those Who Get, also earned the prestigious Pardino d’Oro. His first feature film marked a new chapter in Cannes in April 2022 and has since traveled widely. Filmed in Orihuela, her story about women navigating water myths earned two Goya nominations for Luna Pamies in the categories of new director and revelation actress. She approaches storytelling with a feminist lens and a fresh, personal perspective.
How did you decide to live in Switzerland?
This choice related to the Spanish crisis. It is a reminder of how political circumstances can shape life. She left during a 2008 crisis when jobs and scholarships were scarce and found employment at the University of Geneva to complete a thesis and to teach. It was not a place she expected to end up, but opportunity arrived and life moved forward.
You’ve always filmed in Orihuela and premiered your work abroad. What does this mean for you?
Dreams often arrive without certainty that they will come true. The filmmaker expresses happiness that these projects found audiences, and beyond personal ambition, it is a gesture of thanks to the team, supporters, and institutions that sometimes withhold support. It is a way of saying it is now the turn of those entities to back the films so they can be shot.
Has being in Switzerland opened more doors than staying in Spain?
It is not about leaving to succeed. People can thrive without moving. There are examples in Alicante, such as Chema García Ibarra, who remains in Elche and still achieves significant success. The path was personal and complex, shaped by distance, which in artistic terms can be a valuable perspective that informs work and humanity. If she had not left, she might not have returned to shoot in her hometown, and exile remains a weight that can enrich art.
“Leaving Orihuela helped me take a different look at where I came from”
You left Orihuela as you once said, but Orihuela did not leave you. Will you keep pushing forward?
If she had never left, the feeling might have been different. Absence can intensify affection, and something comes with distance that fuels creativity.
How do you view the months after the Cannes premiere and whether it remained in theaters?
It stayed in theaters for a lengthy run, with a limited number of copies. The film enjoyed strong momentum in its seventh or eighth week, a notable achievement. Now the director is eager to move on to a new project, even as the prior work continues to resonate. After a long five-year development, the film remains a personal milestone, and the director is grateful for recognition like the Goyas while seeking new challenges.
Do you see flaws in your work after completion?
She refuses to dwell on past flaws, focusing instead on ongoing growth and collaboration with trusted teammates. Each project carries its own challenges and lessons learned from the process.
And what prompted you to make this movie?
The motivation is rarely a single spark. A recurring focus on the director’s city and place represents a natural evolution in her storytelling journey.
Is it a good time for peripheral cinema, which tells stories from different places?
I hope this trend continues. It signals a shift toward diverse voices and geographies, enriching the landscape of contemporary cinema.
Your cinema remains independent and non commercial yet achieves positive reception in theaters. Has audience behavior changed?
Opinions vary. The pandemic disrupted exhibition, but there is a cautious optimism. Audiences are drawn to distinctive films that offer something beyond the standard fare. The release strategy may differ, but the core appreciation for unique storytelling endures.
Twenty years ago the films were seen mainly in film libraries, clubs, and festivals. How has access changed?
Two decades ago making a movie would have seemed unlikely for many. Today, technology and connectivity broaden opportunities, making it possible to tell personal stories and reach audiences that once felt unreachable. Time brings both losses and gains, and the evolution reflects broader changes in the industry. The idea of filmmaking is less constrained now, and more people from varied backgrounds can create and share work.
You are a woman and feminism features prominently in your film as a woman’s story. How do you view this?
Feminist perspective informs all daily choices, from ordinary tasks to teaching. It is a lens that reveals how systems affect everyone, with particular emphasis on women. The filmmaker believes that feminism must remain nuanced and diverse, embracing multiple positions and experiences within the broader struggle for equality.
Many directors emerged in cinema and at the Goyas this year. Do you think the trend will continue?
The hope is that sustained visibility continues. The industry has opened doors for many women, but the ultimate measure will be sustained opportunities and recognition. It would be gratifying if this progress is maintained and expanded.
“I guess people forgot to go to the cinema to watch a movie, which is a different experience”
Are platforms essential for your projects?
Film is distributed across platforms while cinema remains a cherished space. The industry has shifted, yet the theater experience still holds value. People may forget how powerful the big-screen experience can be.
What can you share about your new project in development at the Residence of the Film Academy?
Not much is ready to reveal yet. The work centers on feminist psychics and remains under wraps for now.
Will you return to Orihuela to shoot again?
That decision is still open. It requires careful thought about the future and what best serves the story.
Will there be changes after your first feature film?
She hopes so, acknowledging that life is about learning and growth rather than sticking to a single approach.
For instance, could Hollywood be in your plans in a few years?
Hopefully yes. Opportunities arise from connections and timing, and doors should not be closed to new landscapes and challenges. They can lead to surprising paths.
And now you have possibilities in the Goyas.
She feels a sense of joy, though winning remains elusive for now. Being part of the scene is rewarding, and there is hope for what the year brings, especially with Luna Pamies by her side.