Thirteen years ago, we began to live out a dream in our village: that of transforming Calzada de Calatrava into a ‘Film Village’, which culminates this autumn with the 13th Film Festival. Thanks to the efforts and collaboration of the Councils for Culture, Education and Tourism, the Fontanar and Santa Cecilia associations, Amigos de la Danza, Nuestra Señora de los Remedios, and the theatre and film workshops at the Universidad Popular, as well as the Círculo Agrícola El Casino and Las Vecinas de Almodóvar.
Over recent decades, Calzada de Calatrava has faced relentless depopulation, which has made us part of the misnamed ‘Empty Spain’. Far from accepting such a defeatist view, here in the Campo de Calatrava we have developed a joint strategy for the economic and social development of the region, and today we feel part of that other Spain – the Spain of opportunities in the rural world – proving that those born and raised here can have the same opportunities as in the big cities. To achieve this, we are supported by the Town Council, the Campo de Calatrava Development Association, the Ciudad Real Provincial Council, the Regional Government of Castile-La Mancha and the Spanish Government.
Calzada de Calatrava is kilometre 0 on the “Pedro Almodóvar” film route, as it is his hometown, to which he returns time and again. As a result, cinema plays a vital role not only in the cultural and economic development of the town, but also as a gateway to employment opportunities for young people in an industry that requires new locations in rural areas – a key factor in attracting talent back to the region. For this reason, the festival dedicates part of its programme to the town’s schools.
No less important is the boost to inland tourism provided by this festival, inspired by our fellow townsman Pedro Almodóvar and supported by the production company El Deseo, which has been with us since the festival’s inception.
Finally, I would like to mention the poster for this 13th edition, which pays tribute to screenwriters: a typewriter from which film reel is emerging. Designed once again by Antonio Merinero, it also pays homage to *La ley del deseo* on the 40th anniversary of its release.
With this 13th Festival, Calzada de Calatrava is once again pulling out all the stops to become, once more, ‘A Town of Cinema’.
Gema García Ríos
Mayor and President of Calzada de Calatrava