The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival’s Golden Shell for best film has gone to Albert Serra’s “Afternoons of Solitude,” an acclaimed documentary on bullfighting.
After Serra’s “Pacifiction” stormed at Cannes 2022, the filmmaker continues on his hot streak with this Golden Shell win. The Spanish filmmaker based his doc on the life of Peruvian-Spanish bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey, which is being described as “visceral” and “spellbinding.”
Serra, who also directed “The Death of Louis XI,” and “Liberté,” was supposed to shoot his next film, “Out of This World,” starring Kristen Stewart, in the fall, but production has been delayed until Stewart wraps up post-production on her directorial debut, “The Chronology of Water.”
I should mention that Serra is quite the character. There isn’t an inch of humility in this man. He’s like the Kanye of European cinema, but that’s why he’s so entertaining to follow. Here are just a few examples of the things he’s said in the past few years:
“It is likely that, in a few years, I will be recognized as more important to the history of cinema than Scorsese, Coppola and Spielberg.”
“If you're an adult and you like Star Wars, go see a doctor. I would never in my life watch a movie with flying people and swords, and I can't respect anyone who would.”
“I am a true artist. In my latest film, there are moments of surrealism that I don't think have ever been seen before in the history of cinema. All other films seems like child’s play compared to mine.”
“I don't see anyone today with the level of aesthetic commitment that I have.”
"I don't like actors because they are, in general, idiots. I would say 90, 95 or 100% of Spanish actors are idiots. It’s not even ideological. It's a scientific observation."
“There is no director with less of an ego than me.”
Meanwhile, in a move that took many by surprise, Pamela Anderson and the cast of Gia Coppola’s “The Last Showgirl” took home San Sebastian’s Special Jury Prize for best ensemble cast.
The Silver Shell for best director was a tie, Laura Carreira for “On Falling,” and Pedro Martin-Calero “The Wailing” both won. Patricia López Arnaiz won the Silver Shell for best leading performance in “Glimmers” and Pierre Lottin won best supporting performance for Francois Ozon’s “When Fall is Coming.” Ozon also won the best screenplay prize for the film.
This year’s San Sebastian competition included Mike Leigh’s “Hard Truths,” Edward Berger’s “Conclave,” and Joshua Oppenheimer’s “The End” — all three went home empty handed during this evening’s awards ceremony.