Virtual unknowns in non-Spanish speaking markets, Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo — often collectively known in Spain as “Los Javis” have brought their brand to queer storytelling with their musical sensibilities. Their only work to date had been the musical Holy Camp! (2017) and since then they had worked in television in themes exploring identity, self-invention, queer liberation, pop culture, faith, desire and emotional contradiction. The Black Ball aka La bola negra stars Álvaro Lafuente Calvo, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, and surprise hellos from Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close, this is set in set in 1932, 1937, and 2017, exploring the inter-connected lives of three gay men. This is competition film #19 of 22.
The first of two features showcased today and the second of three straight queer portraits and the third and final film from Spain represented this year, it’s been cheers and jeers with ten of our jury members throwing La bola negra some near perfect scores and below average marks. This is currently sitting with a 2.8 average score.
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