PRODUCTION / FUNDING Spain / Belgium
David Trueba shoots Siempre es invierno, a film based on his novel Blitz
- David Verdaguer once again follows the direction of the Spanish filmmaker after his collaboration in Jokes & Cigarettes, now joined by Amaia Salamanca and Isabelle Renauld
The Spanish director David Trueba is nearing the completion of filming Siempre es invierno (lit. It's Always Winter), a film based on his own book Blitz, published in 2015 and set in Liege, Barcelona, Madrid, Palma de Mallorca and Calanda. This will be the thirteenth feature film by Trueba, who was at Cannes with La buena vida (at the Directors' Fortnight) and Soldiers of Salamina (at Un Certain Regard), at Sundance with Madrid, 1987 [+see also:
trailer
interview: María Valverde
film profile], and at San Sebastián with Living Is Easy with Eyes Closed [+see also:
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trailer
film profile], which also won the Goya for Best Film. His latest work, El hombre bueno [+see also:
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film profile], was presented last year.
After working together on Jokes & Cigarettes two years ago, the director once again has David Verdaguer as the lead (winner of the Goya for that very film, as well as his role in Summer 1993 [+see also:
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interview: Carla Simón
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interview: Jonás Trueba
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interview: José Manuel Carrasco
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The plot features Miguel (played by David Verdaguer), a landscape architect who travels to Belgium with his girlfriend Marta (Amaia Salamanca) to attend a conference. There, the end of his troubled relationship comes to a head, and after their separation, he decides to stay on alone for a few days to try to piece his future back together. Broken and out of place, he meets Olga (Isabelle Renauld), a woman twice his age who is volunteering at the same event. By her side, the young man begins to rebuild his life and understand what his new future entails.
David Trueba explains, “I’ve never wanted to turn my novels into films. I think they are complete and fully realised in their format. Nor have I been tempted to accept when other directors have approached me. But Blitz was different, as it addresses something immensely graphic and visual, such as the perceptible passage of time on people. An element that can be enhanced through film, making the challenge of adaptation more exciting.”
Producer Edmon Roch, from Ikiru Films, comments, “Combining seriousness with humour, Siempre es invierno is an irresistible romantic tragicomedy that observes us and makes us better. Its effect is like a restorative hug. It’s a privilege to work with David Trueba again after working with him on Jokes & Cigarettes. He’s a humanist creator who knows how to portray people with tact and intelligence, crafting complex and relatable characters that feel incredibly authentic.”
Siempre es invierno is a feature film produced by the Spanish companies Ikiru Films, Atresmedia Cine, Blitz la Película AIE and La Terraza Films in co-production with the Belgium company Wrong Men, with the participation of Netflix and Atresmedia, and funding from the ICAA and support from the ICEC. It will be distributed in Spain by Bteam Pictures.
(Translated from Spanish)
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