The prestigious Golden Shell award for Best Film at the 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival was bestowed upon Albert Serra's poignant documentary, 'Afternoons of Solitude,' a profound exploration of bullfighting that triumphantly emerged victorious amidst fierce competition from narrative masterpieces by Joshua Oppenheimer, Edward Berger, and Mike Leigh.
The Spanish auteur's film, a haunting portrayal of Peruvian-Spanish bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey, garnered critical acclaim despite its graphic depiction of cruelty. THR's esteemed film critic, David Rooney, marveled at its "transfixing" quality, labeling it a "unique study" that delves into the realms of discipline, bravado, unwavering focus, and the art of spectacle. It outshone Leigh's 'Hard Truths,' Berger's 'Conclave,' and Oppenheimer's dystopian musical odyssey, 'The End.'
Elsewhere, the Special Jury Prize for Best Ensemble Cast was awarded to Pamela Anderson and the talented cast of Gia Coppola's 'The Last Showgirl.' The Hollywood Reporter's review hailed the film's poignant empathy towards Shelly, a Las Vegas dancer, and women like her, whose sense of self disintegrates amidst a cruel world that devalues them. While acknowledging its slender narrative, the review praised the film's consistent attention to aesthetics and atmosphere.
The Silver Shell for Best Director was a double triumph, shared by Laura Carreira for 'On Falling,' a poignant tale of a Portuguese worker navigating loneliness and alienation in a Scottish warehouse amidst the relentless gig economy, and Pedro Martin-Calero for 'The Wailing,' a chilling narrative centered on a group of young people who unwittingly unleash an invisible evil.
Patricia López Arnaiz captivated audiences with her outstanding lead performance in 'Glimmers,' earning her the Silver Shell for Best Leading Performance, while Pierre Lottin's nuanced supporting role in 'When Fall is Coming' secured him the equivalent accolade.
Other notable awards included François Ozon and Philippe Piazzo's 'When Fall is Coming' for Best Screenplay, Piet Baumgartner's 'Bagger Drama' receiving the New Directors Award, and Luis Ortega's 'Kill the Jockey' being honored with the Horizontes Latinos Award. The Best Cinematography award went to Piao Songri for his breathtaking work in 'Bound in Heaven.'
The festival, which ran from September 20th to 28th, concluded with a screening of Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh's 'We Live in Time.' Honorary awards were presented to Cate Blanchett, Javier Bardem, and Pedro Almodovar at the iconic Kursaal Theater, celebrating their remarkable contributions to cinema.
