The festival is experiencing a very special first session with the recognition of the well-known actor for his long career in film, television and theatre
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Calzada de Calatrava, 8 August 2024. The 11th Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival (8-17 August) paid tribute yesterday to Emilio Gavira. It is a recognition to a whole career dedicated to the world of acting, with a long history of roles in cinema, television and theatre, being also a standard-bearer of the Castilian-La Mancha region. The actor received the ‘statuette’ of the festival as a sign of recognition and also a lot of products from Calzado during the celebration of the ‘Castilla-La Mancha in parallel’ session of the festival.
Emilio Gavira, who received the applause and affection of all those present in the Patio San Francisco, expressed that this recognition generates him “a lot of illusion because it is an honour to be here and that you have thought of me”. He emphasised that “I am not an award-winning actor, but a supporting actor in Spanish cinema, but I have to say that I am very excited to be given an award”.
The actor, a native of Fuengirola, but linked all his life to Alcázar de San Juan, stressed that he “loves this land very much” and even underlined that “people talk about the sea, but La Mancha is much better than love. This land is deep and infinite, like the sea, but here we can walk on it”.
The honoree, who was also accompanied on an institutional visit to Calzada de Calatrava, assured that he did not expect this recognition and said that “I was thrilled when they called me from the organisation”. Coming to the Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival is a unique opportunity to get to know this marvellous place”. And the fact is that La Mancha “has many places to see and get to know. It is the great unknown, and people are just passing through, but they have to start to stay and get to know it”.
Gavira is mainly known for the humour he arouses and the laughter he always elicits from the audience, with great roles in countless plays. In this sense, the actor stressed that “humour is very important and helps a lot of people”, making it clear that “it is more difficult to make people laugh than to make them cry.
Finally, the Alcazarian explained that he is working on several projects that he cannot reveal yet, and asked for the wish that the festival “reaches, at least, the 40th edition, and that I can see it. May we meet again in 30 years”. “I await your invitation”, he stressed with laughter and with that humility and closeness that characterises him.
For her part, the director of the XI Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival, Gema García, pointed out that “it is a privilege for our International Film Festival to have the presence and to be able to pay tribute tonight to Emilio Gavira, a reference for inclusion and diversity, which are also necessary in cinema, placing value on effort and tenacity, well above differences, diverse abilities and physical limitations”. In reference to Emilio Gavira, the director stressed that “there are many ways to be great, and yours is one of the best”.
Projections of the land
The tribute took place in an unbeatable setting, with the development of a totally Castilian-Manchegan session, as is ‘Castilla-La Mancha en paralelo’ of the XI International Film Festival of Calzada de Calatrava. The audience could enjoy the film Tierra de nuestras madres by Liz Lobato, and also the feature films Empático, Del barrio, Roland and Próxima parada, of Santa Ana Films, a production company from Puertollano under the direction of José Antonio Merchán. Undoubtedly, a great night to start the eleventh edition of the festival in style. However, the official opening will take place during the night of Thursday 8 August at 21.30 in the Silo of Calzada de Calatrava.
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