Penelope Cruz stars in a dramatic drama about eviction pressures, while Juan Diego Botto directs for the first time with On the Borders. Barbara Lennie steps into a character that mirrors the iconic Alice Gould from The Crooked Lines of God. This adaptation of Luca de Tena’s novel sits at the heart of this weekend’s movie premieres, drawing audiences with its tense confinement and psychological unraveling.
Gods crooked lines
The late 1970s setting of Luca de Tena’s popular thriller finds its cinematic home under Oriol Paulo, known for thrillers such as Contratiempo and El cuerpo. Bárbara Lennie embodies the legendary Alice Gould, an upper‑class woman who enters a psychiatric hospital under the guise of paranoia to investigate the death of a prisoner. The deeper truths discovered during confinement push the boundaries of sanity and perception, turning the hospital into a maze of suspicion and power plays. The film invites spectators into a world where appearances mask hidden motives and every whisper could hide a crucial clue. [Source: festival press]
On the Borders
Penelope Cruz explores the fierce vulnerability of an eviction victim in a story that doubles as her directorial debut. On the Borders centers on three interconnected lives—an activist lawyer, a grocery store worker, and a grandmother—caught in the pressure cooker of an economic crisis. Cruz portrays Azucena, a neighbor who toils at the same store to keep her family afloat while she races against a 24‑hour deadline set by the landlord to avert homelessness. The film blends tense realism with intimate family stakes, highlighting resilience amid financial strain. [Source: festival press]
Unsuccessful
Fall, directed by British filmmaker Scott Mann, is a lean survival thriller that unfolds largely in a single, perilous location. Beck and Hunter ascend to the top of a derelict communications tower and become trapped in a world where every step could mean the end. At 600 meters above the ground, cut off from civilization, the pair must rely on nerve, timing, and improvisation to stay alive as the danger closes in. The film relies on claustrophobic tension and stark, practical peril to propel its suspense. [Source: festival press]
Basque
El vasco, a Spanish‑Argentine co‑production directed by Jabi Elortegi, blends comedy with drama. The title asks what Basque means in a story set largely in Argentina, featuring a cast that includes Eduardo Blanco, Inés Efrón, Laura Oliva, and Itziar Aizpuru. The plot follows a young man who accepts an invitation from a distant relative to settle in Argentina, only to discover that arrival comes with unexpected, humorous, and troubling revelations. The film balances cultural clashes with lighthearted misadventure to explore identity and adaptation. [Source: festival press]
Dance with Life
Michèle Laroque adds a new directorial entry to her repertoire with a comedy about reconnecting through dance. Adopting a premise inspired by Richard Loncraine’s Finding Your Feet, the story follows a group of adults who find renewed purpose on the dance floor. After years of marriage, Sandra learns her husband’s betrayal extends beyond her expectations, prompting a return to her childhood home. There she rekindles a sisterly bond, and together they discover a shared rhythm that becomes their new anchor. The film uses dance as a metaphor for healing, forgiveness, and reinvention. [Source: festival press]
A Story of Love and Desire
Leyla Bouzid, rooted in Paris and Tunisia, crafts a deeply intimate romance that crosses cultural lines. The film follows Ahmed, a French‑Algerian newcomer to the city, and Farah, a Tunisian woman whose presence awakens a passion Ahmed has never anticipated. Set against a backdrop of literary discovery and forbidden longing, the narrative examines desire, restraint, and the courage to choose a path that defies expectations. [Source: festival press]
Wild Park
Wild Park introduces a Chinese animation that blends fantasy with mystery. Directed by Ding Leung, the story unfolds in Pine Tree Mountain, where a futuristic bracelet can transform visitors into animals. When a competition unfolds, Vick teams with Bramble and a mysterious man named Leon to compete, only to attract the attention of a park owner intent on secretly duplicating the park’s data. The film layers adventure with a tech‑driven intrigue, inviting viewers into a world where identity and power intersect. [Source: festival press]
Operation Baby Bear
The sequel to Who Lost a Panda? follows Mic the bear and Oscar the bunny as new adventures begin. Written and directed by Vasily Rovenskiy, the production centers on a fresh mission to reunite a beloved bear with his family, continuing a family‑oriented series that blends humor with heartfelt moments and gentle action. [Source: festival press]
Even if It’s Not with Me
This teen drama from Costa Rica charts the misfortunes of a young athlete navigating the pressures of adolescence. Torn between two school friendships and a dream that could redefine her path, the protagonist confronts tough choices that shape her worldview and self‑understanding. The narrative leans into the emotional texture of coming‑of‑age moments, emphasizing resilience against social expectations. [Source: festival press]
Catherine Birdy Called
Lena Dunham, the creator of the Girls series, directs an adaptation based on Karen Cushman’s beloved novel. Starring Bella Ramsey, the film follows a 14‑year‑old girl in medieval England as she maneuvers life, all while dodging rival suitors her father has in mind. The coming‑of‑age tale blends wit, romance, and historical flair as it tracks a young woman’s determination to control her own fate. The title nods to the lively voice and modern sensibility that Dunham brings to this historical portrait. [Source: festival press]
Nitram
Quintessentially Australian, Nitram recreates the events surrounding the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, offering a stark portrait of the man behind the tragedy. The director, known for Macbeth and other ambitious projects, returns to ground a harrowing historical moment in intense character study. Caleb Landry Jones delivers a performance that earned Cannes best actor recognition, with the film reaching audiences on Movistar Plus, iTunes, Google Play, Rakuten TV, Amazon, Film, and Vodafone. The storytelling focuses on the build‑up, the factors that shaped the tragedy, and the human dimension behind the headlines. [Source: festival press]