Bayona: “We can only have strong Spanish cinema if we save the people”

The Barcelona filmmaker made the remarks shortly after leaving the auditorium at the Valladolid fairgrounds, the center of the Goya premiere. Just a few hours before leaving for Los Angeles To attend lunch on Monday Oscar nominees (‘The Snow Society’ is nominated in the best international film and best make-up and hairdressing categories). “Then we’ll go to New York and be at BAFTA next weekend [los premios del cine británico]”So we are already in the middle of a hurricane,” he said.

“Disoriented”

Bayona admitted that his status as a film writer with an undeniable business vocation and artistic passion, having often worked on international productions, made him this way. Sometimes you feel “a bit of a stranger” in Spanish cinema Despite everything, he defines her as his “family”. And he was immensely pleased that the Academy recognized him as one of its own and rewarded his work, despite concerns that the ‘Snow Society’ might arouse in some sectors. It will be produced by Netflix. “I am delighted that the Academy has received such overwhelming recognition for this film.” Despite Bayona’s numerous previous Goya awards for titles such as ‘The Orphanage’, ‘The Impossible’ and ‘A Monster Comes to See Me’, one of his films has never been hailed as the year’s best. Until now.

While accepting one of his trophies, the Catalan director suppressed his joy for a moment and became serious in his speech from the stage, emphasizing the following: Spanish cinema is going through a very difficult period and this can only be overcome by attracting public attention. “We have a complex perspective,” he said. A lot of spectators have been lost since the pandemic. In Spain and around the world. AND we need a strong, stable and consistent audiencebecause this is what adds muscle to production.”

fewer resources

Bayona welcomed the increased female presence in all aspects of filmmaking, but often regretted having to do so. under precarious conditions. “Movies are being produced with fewer resources than when I started,” he said. “Women have great access to directing, cinema, all disciplines, but what kind of panorama do they encounter when they arrive?”

The author of ‘Snow Society’ also did not hesitate to respond, albeit with disdain, to the criticisms leveled at the film community by Vox leaders such as Junta de Castilla vice president y León Juan García-Gallardo. (“little gentlemen,” he called them). “These are such comments that they deny themselves Bayona said these should be ignored. “Spanish cinema needs a much more serious and rigorous discussion.”