The Javis present ‘The Black Ball’, about Lorca, in Cannes: “There were times of freedom, but they were brought to an end”

The Javis have presented this Friday at a press conference in Cannes his last movie ‘The black ball’which competes in the Official Section and which yesterday received a 20-minute ovation on the occasion of its premiere. “There were times of freedom, but they were brought to an end,” They have agreed to point out in a massive meeting with the press. The Spanish presence in the French competition is completed with ‘El ser loved’, by Rodrigo Sorogoyen, and ‘Bitter Christmas’, by Pedro Almodóvar.

“I think it is very significant to remember especially the situation in the past. There were times of freedom, but they were brought to an end“said Javier Ambrossi in reference to the decade of the 1930s in Spain that the film addresses.

Thus he has insisted on the importance of “remembering the situation that existed in the past.” “They thought this freedom would last, but then the dictatorship came and many people were murdered.“, he lamented. Precisely, the film is released the year that marks the 90th anniversary of the death of Federico García Lorca, whose unfinished work they adapt in the film, which will hit Spanish cinemas on October 2, 2026.

In the same sense, director Javier Calvo has also lamented that “many people are totally ignorant of what happened” during the Spanish Civil War. “And when you’re more familiar with what happened at that time, you can see how radical some people were.“he lamented.

“If we cannot reach an agreement, spontaneous violence occurs. Dialogue is the only way out, the only solution for everyone, and I hope this opens possibilities for empathy. “It is very important to show in the film that other types of people exist.”Calvo stated in his speech.

For this reason, he has highlighted the role of those who helped them contextualize that historical moment and “discover Lorca and what a great person he was.” In this regard, he has indicated that he has freed himself with this film since “I wanted to write about Lorca’s life”, without forgetting the historical context.

“The idea we wanted to show is that when there is a lack of communication, that gives rise to violence. That is why we have to find a way to talk together“, he reiterated. Thus, he assured that this film addresses “the inability to decide, the inability to communicate.”

Furthermore, Calvo has assured that the LGBT community “needs references, and if Lorca’s sexuality is hidden, you are doing the opposite.” “When I was studying Lorca, nothing was explained to me about his sexual life. And it’s just a matter of showing the character as he is.”he added.

As he has argued, “it was very important to create a very good film, which focuses on three gay leads and a team of gay directors, with a very diverse and excellent team. In this type of film everyone can speak because we are talking about everyone’s rights.“, he has defended. ‘The black ball’ narrates the interconnected lives of three men in three different times (1932, 1937 and 2017), existences closely linked by sexuality and desire, pain and inheritance; and one of Lorca’s last, unfinished works.

Regarding his presence at the festival, Calvo has indicated that he saw it “as a kind of dream” but, after seeing the reception the film had last night, he thought: “This is fantastic! Everyone gets it!” “For me it’s a dream,” confessed the director, who recalled that in previous years they had attended the contest “and then we went home.” “And suddenly, having to belong to all this, working alongside so many stars, seeing the stage, it was a magical moment.“he reiterated.

Furthermore, he pointed out that although in Spain they are “quite well known”, in Cannes “no one knew” about them. “No one knew who we were, no one knew anything about the film. So it was a wonderful moment,” he highlighted.

Along the same lines, Ambrossi has acknowledged that they wanted to “see what it would be like when the film was recorded, what would happen, what the reaction would be.” “And I came here thinking that we were entering the unknown. In fact, when I saw the photographers, I said to myself “we are actually here!”. It is truly a dream that has come true. Being here is an incredible gift. It’s hard to believe,” he confessed.

Furthermore, he highlighted the challenge of “drawing the inspiration” of Lorca’s work. “Creation is a very mysterious thing,” stated the director, who highlighted the fact that issues such as Lorca’s sexuality or emotional identity have “never” been addressed. “All of Lorca’s work talks about this and, by not talking about it, we are denying it. And this became a kind of obsession because I wanted to show Lorca as a whole: his emotions, his political ideas, his real being,” he said.

ALL THE ACTORS AGREE: “THE JAVIS HAVE A TREMENDOUS TALENT”

The press conference also included the rest of the cast, such as the actresses Penélope Cruz and Lola Dueñas, and the actors Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Carlos González and the artist Guitarricadelafuente.

“I love the Javis, I have loved them since their first film“, Penélope Cruz acknowledged at the press conference. Thus, she recalled that they met several times before working together. Furthermore, although her role as a cuplet player does not occupy many minutes in the film’s footage, she assured that she is “very happy.”

“I want to be a part of the things that are important to me. When I discovered this fantastic story, I felt that it would be wonderful. I didn’t care if it was there for three minutes, I felt that this was very important, not only in our country, but in other places as well,” he detailed.

In this sense, although he has recognized that films “cannot change the world, in some cases they can help improve things, reactivate important debates, teach and get closer to the hearts of people, in particular, the younger generations.”

Likewise, he has asserted that the Javis “have tremendous talent” and has acknowledged that it has been “very lucky to have worked with Almodóvar for a long time.”I have made seven films with him and I hope there will be many more. He has been my teacher and has been a great reference. And I think it’s something we share, love and admiration,” he stressed.

Regarding the reception of the film – which last night received the second longest ovation in the history of Cannes, behind ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’ – he noted that “it was one of the strongest moments experienced at the Festival.”

Along the same lines, Carlos González stated that “it was wonderful to be directed by these two fantastic people who have a great generous heart.” “This film is about very intimate and private things. It’s not just historical memory. “It was a pleasure to be able to be in this film and work with wonderful people,” he acknowledged.

Lola Dueñas has also stated that she is “very excited” while Álvaro Lafuente Calvo, known as Guitarricadelafuente, has assured that this “first experience as an actor, doing it this way, with them, has been a quite wonderful and spectacular experience.” “They are, perhaps, the best directors in the world.“he emphasized.

The praise has been repeated with Miguel Bernardeau: “I would like all actors and actresses to have the same experience working with directors.“It was wonderful to work with you. It was an incredible experience that I will never forget. The Javis are very special,” he reiterated, like his co-star Milo Quifes.