Albert Serra wins the Concha d'Or with 'Tardes de soledad'

Like a bull about to face destiny, Albert Serra has entered the arena of cinema with 'Tardes de soledad', a work that from its first screening was presented as a candidate for the winner, a reflection of 'a brave and incisive cinema that only a few dare to make. This Saturday, the Concha d'Or was his reward, confirming that his path, as controversial as it is sublime, has found success at the 72nd edition of the Sant Sebastià Festival. His look at bullfighting, a practice that arouses passions and critics alike, has led Serra to explore not only the world of bulls, but the very limits of the art.

The screening of 'Tardes de soledad' captivated from the first moment, and it is no coincidence that the jury, chaired by Jaione Camborda, chose it for its originality and courage. A film that does not limit itself to showing the bullfighting festival, but goes into the soul of its protagonists, such as the young bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey, whom he follows closely during the bullfights, capturing the tension, the fear and masculinity that surround this world. Serra's film is not only about bullfighting, but about tradition, violence and the human condition, elements that the director from Banyoles knows how to transform into visual poetry.

With this award, Serra joins the club of Catalan filmmakers who have triumphed in Sant Sebastià, following in the footsteps of Isaki Lacuesta, who already won the Concha d'Or twice, with 'Entre dos aguas' (2018) and 'Los pasos dobles' (2011).

'Tardes de soledad' is a monumental work that will see the light of day in cinemas at the beginning of 2025. Albert Serra, known for his provocative style, has been able to defend his proposal in the face of criticism, such as the controversy raised by PACMA, asking for the withdrawal of the documentary because of its humanized vision of a practice they consider violent. Far from standing aside, Serra has embraced the controversy and has vindicated the ability of cinema to delve deeper into reality in all its complexity. "Author's cinema has this ability to go to the end of any issue," declared Serra.

In addition to the prestigious main award, the film has been recognized with the Feroz Award, awarded by the Spanish Association of Cinematographic Reporters. Serra is thus emerging as an essential voice in contemporary cinema, a creator who is not afraid to explore dangerous territories, both artistic and ethical.

Albert Serra's triumph is the recognition of a risky cinema that, with every step, questions the world around it and, in turn, the viewer who dares to look it in the face. This Concha d'Or is not just a trophy; is the culmination of a career dedicated to breaking patterns, making us reflect on the limits of art and reality, and inviting us to a dangerous dance with the truth, as a bullfighter does with death in front of him .

Exploring the limits of Albert Serra's heterodox creativity