This is how filmmaker Oriol Paulo approached a daunting project without sacrificing his own identity or stepping away from what he knows best. His next film, titled after its source material and debuting in theaters on October 7, carries the weight of a well‑established mystery novel. Its first footage premiered at the What’s Coming festival in Tudela, Navarra, signaling a bold return to the screen after years of meticulous planning and preparation.
Paulo explains that he aimed to retain the seal of the original work while embracing subtle risks. He chose to place his own voice in dialogue with the material, not to reinvent it but to illuminate it from a fresh angle. The directorial approach was shaped as much by the collaboration with the cast as by the challenge of adapting a revered text. In particular, Bárbara Lennie emerged as a guiding light for the production and became central to the storytelling texture witnessed on set and screen alike.
On screen, the character Alice Gould takes shape within a story world where the Sanatorium becomes a crucible for truth. Lennie’s portrayal, with a blend of mystery and vulnerability, anchors the drama as the narrative unfolds around a crime that invites meticulous inquiry and patient revelation. The ensemble cast, including performances from Loreto Mauleón, Javier Beltrán, Pablo Derqui, Fede Aguado, and Adelfa Calvo, contributes to a layered tapestry of motives and memories that push the plot forward. The project was developed with the collaboration of Nostromo Pictures, Atresmedia Cine, Filmlayer, and Warner Bros. Pictures Spain, reflecting a shared ambition to bring a dense, literate thriller to diverse audiences.
Reflecting on the journey, Paulo notes that adapting a renowned novel posed a unique kind of responsibility, extending beyond narrative choices to the practical demands of production. The experience has been among his most challenging, driven by the need to respect the source material while steering a large team through complex logistics and creative decisions. The director emphasizes that the memory the work evokes remained a reliable compass, guiding decisions about perspective, tone, and pacing as filming progressed.
The first public viewing of the material for Los renglones torcidos de Dios marked a marquee moment at the Lo que ves festival, now in its fifth year in Tudela. The event also reached out to other nearby towns such as Corella and Cascante, underscoring the festival’s role in weaving local culture with international storytelling. The festival itself gathers filmmakers, critics, and industry professionals to debate current industry trends and to offer previews of upcoming releases in cinema and television, providing a platform for dialogue and discovery among a wide audience.
In addition to the film’s presentation, the festival highlighted collaborations across the production landscape, bringing together a diverse group of audiovisual professionals to discuss contemporary challenges and opportunities. The program included conversations with notable figures associated with the project and related works, offering a forum for ideas about craft, adaptation, and the evolving nature of storytelling in modern audiovisual media.
Looking forward, the event agenda included further premieres and discussions that illuminate the path for future projects. The festival’s energy and the reception to the initial footage suggest a strong interest in how Paulo’s adaptation will resonate with viewers, critics, and fans of the novels alike. The collaboration behind the film reflects a broader trend in European cinema, where literary adaptations are approached with a disciplined respect for source material yet a clear willingness to explore new cinematic expressions.
The broader conversation around the festival also touched on the development of other projects, including new productions and collaborations that promise to shape the landscape of contemporary television and film. Attendees anticipated sessions that would unpack process, character development, and narrative structure, offering fresh insights into how complex sources can be translated into compelling screen experiences. The festival continues to be a focal point for showcasing ambitious storytelling and for connecting creators with audiences who crave thoughtful, provocative cinema.
Ultimately, Oriol Paulo’s work on this project reflects a conviction that a strong adaptation can honor tradition while granting room for innovation. His approach demonstrates that perseverance, careful collaboration, and a clear artistic vision can turn a demanding literary property into a dynamic, cinematic journey that engages audiences across generations and regions.