The Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) has completed the lineup for Alquimias, its competitive section dedicated to the most experimental and innovative cinema, for the festival's 71st edition. A total of ten films will compete in this category, designed for works that move away from conventional narrative formulas.
The announcement is significant as it defines one of the most unique aspects of the Valladolid festival, a space that in recent years has established itself as a showcase for directors exploring new visual languages and unconventional ways of storytelling. The confirmation of the full list now allows for a preview of the section's profile before the festival begins.
Three well-known Spanish titles
Among the ten Alquimias entries are three Spanish productions that had been previously announced by Seminci. These are Adiós, ríos, directed by Sebastián Uría; Benigno, by David Baute; and Dream of Another Summer, by Irene Bartolomé.
These three films share the spotlight with seven new international titles that the organization has revealed to complete the section, broadening the range of geographies and styles represented in this edition.
Seven new additions to the section
The seven films joining the selection are London, by Sebastian Brameshuber; Foreign Travel, by Ted Fendt; Paris Paris, by Isabelle Tollenaere; 13 alfinetes, by João Pedro Rodrigues and João Rui Guerra da Mata; Promised Spaces, by Ivan Marković; Living Twice, Dying Thrice, by Karim Lakzadeh; and El espejismo, by Bingham Bryant.
As the festival organization explained, these films approach their subjects through formal and narrative games that seek to offer the viewer a different perspective, renewing both the narrative of Europe and other realities less explored in conventional cinema.
A look at Iran through new generations
In Living Twice, Dying Thrice, director Karim Lakzadeh delves into the daily life of Iran, a country that, according to Seminci, is often reduced to established narratives. The film proposes a prejudice-free look at other ways of life and the richness of that society.
Journeys through old Europe
Several of the entries use travel as a starting point to explore European memory and the present, from Austria and Germany to Portugal and Spain.
In London, Sebastian Brameshuber turns shared car rides between Vienna and Salzburg into a space for conversation, where a driver named Bobby picks up strangers whose chats evolve from the mundane to deeper issues.
Foreign Travel, by American filmmaker Ted Fendt, stems from the literary concerns of a group of young Berliners. Meanwhile, Bingham Bryant, also from the United States, directs El espejismo, filmed in San Sebastián and co-produced by Portugal, the United States, and Germany, which constructs a game of appearances and reflections on what happens when we stop recognizing someone close to us.
Coexistence, tradition, and new constructions
Paris Paris, by Belgian director Isabelle Tollenaere, follows three immigrants who barely know each other as they begin to live together in a Parisian building from which the former inhabitants have been evicted, portraying that daily relationship until it becomes a form of family.
João Pedro Rodrigues and João Rui Guerra da Mata, in 13 alfinetes (a co-production between Portugal and Spain), recover the tradition of Saint Anthony and an ancient love divination practice based on thirteen pins.
Finally, Serbian filmmaker Ivan Marković travels to Southeast Asia with Promised Spaces, a co-production between France, Germany, Serbia, and Cambodia, focusing on the large, newly constructed buildings that are transforming the Cambodian urban landscape.
A section committed to formal risk
With this selection of ten titles, Alquimias reinforces its identity as a space within Seminci dedicated to works that experiment with cinematic language, combining the visions of European, American, and Asian filmmakers in a single competitive program.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Alquimias section at Seminci?
It is a competitive section of the Valladolid International Film Festival dedicated to bold and innovative cinematic works that experiment with unconventional narrative forms.
How many Spanish films are participating in Alquimias this edition?
Three Spanish productions are participating: Adiós, ríos, by Sebastián Uría; Benigno, by David Baute; and Dream of Another Summer, by Irene Bartolomé.
What are the new international titles announced?
The seven new titles are London, by Sebastian Brameshuber; Foreign Travel, by Ted Fendt; Paris Paris, by Isabelle Tollenaere; 13 alfinetes, by João Pedro Rodrigues and João Rui Guerra da Mata; Promised Spaces, by Ivan Marković; Living Twice, Dying Thrice, by Karim Lakzadeh; and El espejismo, by Bingham Bryant.
What is the film El espejismo about?
Directed by Bingham Bryant and filmed in San Sebastián, it is a co-production between Portugal, the United States, and Germany that explores a game of appearances and reflections regarding the recognition of people close to us.
Which country does Living Twice, Dying Thrice portray?
Karim Lakzadeh's film offers a look at the daily life of Iran from a perspective far removed from the established narratives about the country.
In which edition of Seminci is this section presented?
It is presented in the 71st edition of the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci).
