Spanish directorial duo Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s “The Black Ball” (La Bola Negra) premiered in competition at the Cannes Film Festival on Thursday to a 20-minute standing ovation.
The screening marks the Cannes competition debut for the filmmaking duo, known collectively as Los Javis, who have built an ardent international following with the series “Veneno” and “La Mesías.”
The overwhelming reception to the pic comes very near the Cannes record for an ovation in a premiere, set by another Spanish film, Guillermo del Toro’s "Pan’s Labyrinth," which clocked a 22-minute ovation in 2006.
“The Black Ball” traces the interconnected lives of three men across three eras – 1932, 1937, and 2017 – braiding together stories of desire, loss, and what one generation bequeaths to the next.
The feature is inspired by Alberto Conejero's 2015 play La piedra oscura (Dark Stone) and an unfinished work by poet and playwright Federico García Lorca who was murdered in the early days of the Spanish War.
Glenn Close appears in a supporting role alongside Guitarricadelafuente – the beloved Spanish singer-songwriter, making his screen debut – Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, and Lola Dueñas, with Penélope Cruz contributing an extended cameo.
The filmmakers said in a visibly emotional speech while the applause continued, “Ninety years ago, Federico García Lorca was killed by fascism. So, to everyone who thinks that we are gonna step back, we have bad news. Because we are here to stay. So, thank you. Cannes Festival, thank you. Long live Cannes. For the opportunity, thank you. May we all truly know that we are in the same fight.”
Ambrossi and Calvo co-wrote the screenplay with playwright Alberto Conejero, drawing on García Lorca’s four surviving pages of an unfinished novel – written before the poet was murdered by Nationalist forces in 1936 – as well as on Conejero’s play “La piedra oscura.”
“The Black Ball” was shot over 12 weeks across Castile and León, Cantabria, Andalusia, and Madrid, with additional filming in Greece.
The key crew from “La Mesías” returned for the production, including cinematographer Gris Jordana and composer Raül Refree.
“The Black Ball” is also the first film produced under Suma Content Films, the new cinema division of Los Javis’ production company.
Ambrossi and Calvo have been among the most exciting voices in Spanish screen culture since their debut feature “Holy Camp!”
They broke out internationally with “Veneno,” their HBO Max series about Spanish trans activist and entertainer Cristina Ortiz, and further cemented their reputation with “La Mesías,” which premiered at San Sebastián, became the first Spanish series at Sundance, scored prizes at France’s Series Mania, and swept Spain’s Feroz and Forqué awards.
“The Black Ball” is their first feature in the Cannes official selection and is in contention for both the Palme d’Or and t,he Queer Palm.
The film is co-produced by Movistar Plus+, Suma Content Films, Pedro and Agustín Almodóvar’s El Deseo and Le Pacte, with international sales handled by Goodfellas.
“The Black Ball” opens theatrically in Spain on October 2 via Elastica Films.
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