The Rafael Serrano Cultural Center of the town hosted the opening gala with a high expectation among the public and with the staging of the exhibition ‘film hand program’: 1937-1957.
Calzada de Calatrava, August 6. The ninth edition of the Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival began yesterday with the opening ceremony. The gala dazzled all those present, who did not want to miss any detail of the staging at the Rafael Serrano Cultural Center of the town. The actor Carlos Urrutia embroidered his role as master of ceremonies and, through a series of dramatized readings based on anti-war speeches, guided the development of the institutional act.
The opening ceremony was presided over by the Mayoress of Calzada de Calatrava, Gema García, who was accompanied by the Councilor for Culture and Director of the Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival, José Antonio Valencia; the provincial delegate of the Ministry of Economy, Business and Employment, Agustín Espinosa; and by the Vice President of the Provincial Council of Ciudad Real, Gonzalo Redondo. Also present were several mayors of neighboring towns who did not hesitate to witness and support the beginning of the festival, as well as other authorities. In addition, hundreds of people lived the event with great excitement and desire to enjoy the seventh art for more than two weeks in Calzada de Calatrava.
Gema García praised the work of the entire organization for the ninth edition of this festival that is already a hallmark in the film industry. In addition, the mayor highlighted the commitment and support of the institutions, as well as private companies “which are becoming more and more important”. Likewise, García praised the opportunities offered by the rural world and the areas suffering from depopulation. For his part, José Antonio Valencia emphasized the exhaustive work that has been carried out for a long time to enjoy this festival today. As it could not be otherwise, Valencia invited all attendees to enjoy all the activities and events scheduled both the festival itself and in parallel.
Before starting the speeches, the opening of the exhibition ‘film hand programs: 1937-1957. It is an exhibition donated by Juan José García Ciudad that collects the hand programs, which were used in the past. These objects were used as advertising objects, as well as to attract the attention of the spectator. It is also an exhibition that can be seen and witnessed throughout the festival.
The ninth edition of the Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival comes with a huge catalog of screenings, specifically six feature films and fifty short films, as well as several documentaries, which will surely captivate the audience. To this we must add a series of activities and events that have been organized in parallel to the festival, such as two film workshops, one for children and another for young people and adults where participants can create their own short films with a cell phone; a gastronomic route through the local restaurants that bears the name of ‘Al Modo Bar’, which will take place from August 12 to 18; a solidarity event scheduled for August 11 in favor of the Solman project; and a concert of music and film with the interpretation of original soundtracks by the AM Santa Cecilia de Calzada de Calatrava, among other events.
The opening ceremony also featured a musical performance by Dúo Belcorde with Manuel Briega on violin and Adrián Fernández on guitar. Both delighted a devoted audience with soundtracks set within the war theme. Some sounded warmongering, others closer to an optimistic message and others as a romantic background of a love story in the midst of horror and barbarism.
Undoubtedly, the ninth edition of the Calzada de Calatrava International Film Festival arrives with strength and with the expectation of surpassing the numbers achieved last year. It only remains to sit in the armchair and enjoy each of the numerous projections. It is also ideal to enjoy the parallel activities that have been organized. The seventh art shines with its own light in Calzada de Calatrava.