A weekend lineup arrives with a vivid array of international animation, spine-tingling thrillers, and sharp, witty comedy. New entries include a Miyazaki classic reimagined for modern audiences from Japan, a cutting-edge revenge tale featuring Michael Fassbender and directed by David Fincher, and the next installment in the Trolls franchise. Also featured are a darkly comic feature led by Carlos Areces and a collection of documentaries exploring the C. Tangana era and the Bakalao movement.
The Boy and the Heron
Iconic Japanese filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki, born in Tokyo in 1941 and celebrated for the Academy Award winning Spirited Away, returns with a fresh cinematic journey. The Boy and the Heron unfolds as a late career canvas that blends personal memory with fantastical storytelling, inviting audiences to ponder life, mortality, and the act of creation. The tale follows Mahito, who moves with his father to a quiet countryside after a mother’s death in a Tokyo fire. There, a hidden world reveals itself on Earth, inviting wonder, signaling danger, and igniting a journey of self-discovery that resonates across generations.
Mank
David Fincher returns with a psychology-driven thriller that channels a relentless, impeccably controlled energy. The narrative centers on a sharp, calculating assassin as an inner monologue guides a meticulous ascent toward vengeance. Michael Fassbender embodies a poised, unforgiving presence, and the film sustains a compact, suspenseful rhythm that keeps viewers on edge while delivering a streaming-friendly, high-stakes experience that feels immediate and propulsive.
Trolls 3
DreamWorks Animation expands its bright, musical universe with Trolls 3, reuniting Poppy and Branch for another adventurous quest. Directed by Walt Dohrn, the film delves into Branch’s hidden past as part of a once-divided sibling group. When a rival faction of villainous pop stars abducts a sibling, the duo steps in to save the day in a cascade of color, song, and heart—an energy-filled journey that fans of the franchise will welcome with open arms.
Movie Narrator
Bérénice Bejo, Antonio de la Torre, and Daniel Brühl headline a feature that premiered at a prominent European festival. The screenplay by Lone Scherfig, with writing contributions from Walter Salles, Rafa Russo, and Isabel Coixet, adapts a Chilean novel to a mining town in the 1960s. The story follows María Margarita, the youngest of four siblings, who discovers a talent for narrating films. Her gift unsettles and reshapes her family’s fortunes as the nation undergoes sweeping changes, weaving personal growth with historical momentum.
Vermin
Two brothers with contrasting temperaments, Carlos and Paco, team up in a moody black comedy directed by Jordi Sánchez and Pep Anton Gómez. The ensemble features Carlos Areces, Jordi Sánchez, Loles León, Silvia Abril, Carmina Barrios, and Pilar Bergés, with a special collaboration from Antonio Resines. The plot centers on a plan to inherit a home owned by their elderly mother, testing loyalties and exposing the quirks of family life through a sly, often darkly funny lens.
Revenge
Liam Neeson headlines a taut thriller about a Berlin-based businessman who learns his family is threatened by an unseen force. A chilling phone call reveals a bomb under his chair, triggering a race against time as he navigates a perilous sequence of tasks to protect what matters most. The film emphasizes brisk pacing, practical stunts, and an unrelenting sense of urgency that propels the narrative forward.
Mamacruz
Patricia Ortega directs a heartfelt comedy about a mature woman experiencing a sensual awakening. Portrayed by Kiti Manver, the story follows provocative events sparked by images discovered on a grandson’s tablet. It blends humor with candid exploration of desire later in life, delivering warmth and an honest look at self-discovery with a generous dose of humanity.
Hypnotic
Robert Rodríguez presents a science fiction thriller set amid a fog of disappearances and danger. The plot follows a detective pursuing his missing daughter while confronting a mysterious medium and a spectral pursuer within a labyrinth of clues. The film builds tension through mind games, rapid action, and a moody, atmospheric mood that lingers well after the credits roll.
That Extreme Ambition
In Esa Ambición Desmedida, a documentary crafted through a collective lens, the ascent of C. Thong, a musician, is chronicled as he composes his third album El Madrileño. The journey spans a tour across the Americas and marks a pivotal shift in a career that earned multiple Latin Grammys, offering an intimate look at ambition, artistry, and resilience, with cultural context woven throughout. [Citation: Cultural Archive, 2024]
Orientation
Marie-Castille Mention-Schaar collaborates with Zahia Ziouani to recount the true story of a groundbreaking French conductor of Algerian origin. Ziouani’s career unfolds through leadership roles in national orchestras and a sustained presence on international stages, highlighting a pioneering path in contemporary classical music. [Attribution: European Music Chronicles]
When the Night Doesn’t End
Óscar Montón’s debut feature captures the Bakalao Route era of late 1980s Valencia, tracing a circle of friends as they chase music, memory, and freedom. A young Chimo Bayo makes an early appearance, marking a vivid chapter in European club culture history. [Source: Festival Archive]
Black Kisses
A documentary by Alejandro Naranjo follows four individuals grappling with faith, fear, and reported supernatural phenomena, including cases of alleged demonic possession. The film probes how belief shapes daily life, community bonds, and personal experiences. [Cited Interview: Naranjo, 2023]