Cecilia. La historia del Ecce Homo de Borja, the feature debut of Luis Belda, is in development
- Elena Irureta and Telmo Irureta will star in the recreation of a high-profile case that took the internet by storm in 2012, produced by La Cochera Producciones Audiovisuales and Bixagu Entertainment
Elena Irureta (known for her leading role in the acclaimed series Patria [+see also:
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series profile], and currently nominated for a Goya Award for Best Supporting Actress for Deaf [+see also:
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interview: Eva Libertad
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interview: Fernando Franco and Koldo Z…
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The film centres on Cecilia Giménez and the human story behind the famous fresco of Ecce Homo in Borja (Zaragoza), which has become one of the most unusual and widely recognised cultural phenomena of the past decade. Written by Luken Hidalgo, the film will offer an intimate and empathetic portrayal of the woman behind the media sensation, moving beyond caricature to explore a personal and emotional dimension.
Initial contact with Cecilia Giménez's family and the Borja Town Council took place in October 2022, beginning a process of research and development. The feature film is currently in the financing phase. From the outset, the project has been conceived as a respectful and sensitive portrait of a figure who has inadvertently become a global icon. Following Cecilia Giménez’s death on 29 December in Borja, at the age of 94, her family and the production team expressed their wish to continue the project as a way of honouring her memory, maintaining the care and respect that have guided it from the very beginning.
In 2012, the 81-year-old woman, who had long enjoyed painting and had carried out small works in other religious sites, decided to restore the Ecce Homo, a small mural painting by the artist Elías García Martínez, dated 1930 and located in the Sanctuary of Mercy church. Lacking the technical skills required for an authentic restoration, the local authorities initially regarded her work as vandalism. Cecilia, however, insisted she had been authorised to restore the mural by the church priest. The failed restoration became a globally recognised humorous phenomenon, drawing the attention of Spanish filmmakers such as Álex de la Iglesia and Alejandro Amenábar.
Director Luis Belda began his career working in production and directing on films such as ¿Estás ahí?, Lo mejor de Eva [+see also:
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Cecilia. La historia del Ecce Homo de Borja is produced by actor Salva Reina (and Goya winner for El 47) for La Cochera Producciones Audiovisuales, together with Iñaki Gómez and Pablo Echart for Bixagu Entertainment.
(Translated from Spanish)
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