Cinema

Basque cinema

Over the course of more than a century, the Basque film industry has undergone a remarkable evolution, reflecting the cultural, social, and political richness of the Basque Country. From its earliest cinematic attempts to its more recent productions, the Basque filmography has served as a means of expressing Basque identity and addressing historical and social issues. Early works such as Edurne, modista bilbaína (1924) by Telesforo Gil and El mayorazgo de Basterreche (1928) by the Azcona brothers marked the beginning of a film tradition in the region. These pioneering films were influenced by the political context of the time, as opposed to later years, when the Franco dictatorship limited local production.

The Spanish Civil War and Franco´s repression paralysed film production for many years. However, as the political situation changed, Basque audiovisual creation began to reawaken in the final years of the dictatorship, especially during the transition to democracy. During this period, Basque cinema addressed issues such as identity, historical memory, and politics by offering a critical and reflective view of social reality.

The Golden Age

Following the fall of the dictatorship and Spain’s move toward democracy, Basque film scene underwent a renaissance, elevating its status to one of the country´s leading film industries. In the 1980s and 1990s, Basque cinema gained significant visibility with films such as Tasio (1984), directed by Montxo Armendáriz, which became a benchmark for Basque filmmaking of the time. Along with other significant productions from the transition period, Tasio offered a deep insight into the political and social issues of the region.

Since then, Basque productions have explored universal issues such as identity, solidarity and collective memory. The Kimuak short film programme, promoted by the Basque Government, has been instrumental in promoting new filmmakers and raising the international profile of Basque cinema. As a result, Basque filmmaking has achieved great success beyond its borders.

The 21st Century

In recent decades, Basque audiovisual landscape has matured and diversified to the point where it stands out on the international film scene. The Kimuak programme is widely regarded as marking the beginning of this golden era. Basque productions gained considerable recognition, were screened on television and attracted the attention of commercial agents. Emerging talent made the leap to feature films and has given rise to a number of filmmakers who are writing the contemporary history of Basque cinema. This generation covers a wide variety of themes and genres.   

Handia (2017), directed by Jon Garaño and Aitor Arregi, has been awarded prestigious prizes, including ten Goya Awards. The film tells the story of the giant of Altzo and is an example of Basque cinema´s commitment to artistic quality and the exploration of universal themes from a local perspective.

Basque cinema has come a long way. While the path to equality is still ongoing, a growing number of female directors are creating films that are achieving remarkable international success, like Estibaliz Urresola´s 20,000 Species of Bees. Basque filmmakers who have won awards at various festivals reflect their commitment to fresh, contemporary and diverse storytelling. Today, virtually no film genre is off-limits for Basque filmmakers to tackle. The phenomenal development of digital platforms amplifies the impact of what is filmed, and awareness has reached the sphere of cultural policy for filming in the Basque Country.

International festivals

As the first quarter of the 21st century draws to an end, Basque cinematography is thriving and steadily progressing. There are many talented Basque filmmakers whose prestigious work is in constant demand from other film industries. Consequently, Basque productions get a growing presence at international festivals, and its awards are testament to the success of the region´s film industry.