Wazzup Pilipinas!?
This May, Instituto Cervantes Manila transforms into a portal to Spain’s evocative Castilla y León region through a stirring film series that transcends language and culture. In collaboration with the Castilla y León Film Commission and the Embassy of Spain, this cinematic showcase invites Filipino audiences to witness the soul of a land where history, memory, and identity are woven into compelling stories by some of the region’s most visionary filmmakers.
A Tapestry of Stories from the Heart of Spain
Castilla y León, a region known for its sweeping plains, medieval towns, and ancient traditions, now comes alive not through travel brochures, but through the power of film. This month-long event is more than just a film screening—it is a cultural experience that brings together the old and the new, the mythical and the real, the historical and the deeply personal.
Every Thursday in May, Instituto Cervantes Manila will screen a carefully curated selection of four feature films and three short films that embody the cinematic spirit of the region. These films reflect the artistic drive of Castilian-Leonese directors who use local traditions, history, and pressing social realities as backdrops for their storytelling. Each screening will be followed by thoughtful panel discussions with the filmmakers and Kristine Guzmán, the head of the Castilla y León Film Commission—bridging continents and conversations.
Opening With Empathy and Resilience – May 8
The series opens on May 8 at 2:00 PM with Alegre y olé (2023), a moving 20-minute short film by Clara Santaolaya. Set in the intimate, emotionally charged world of a psychiatric center, the film explores the unexpected yet profound bond between Lena and Carmen—two women grappling with personal demons and generational divides. Their journey toward healing and human connection unfolds like a quiet symphony of empathy and hope.
Following this tender opening is Gallo Rojo (2024), a feature film by Enrique García-Vázquez. It tells the story of Ana, who returns to her rural roots to set up a cinema—only to confront old friendships, past dreams, and the complexities of life in the countryside. It’s a film that not only reflects on the challenge of returning home but also pays tribute to the transformative power of art in forgotten places.
Nature and Memory – May 15
On May 15, audiences are taken into the silent hills of León with Yo, mi, me, conmigo (2024), a short documentary by Alicia Van Assche. With breathtaking simplicity, it portrays Nemesio, a shepherd who lives like time has stood still—a man who has chosen simplicity over modernity, silence over noise, solitude over chaos. It is both a portrait of a man and a quiet protest against the rush of modern life.
The afternoon continues with Pastoris (2024), a dramatic thriller by Pablo Moreno. After being presumed dead in the war, Domingo returns home to find nothing as he left it. He sets off on a journey as a shepherd across the mystical terrain between Salamanca and Extremadura—a spiritual odyssey haunted by inner and outer dangers. Shot in Palra, a rare Leonese dialect, the film immerses viewers in the rich and fading tapestry of shepherd culture and folklore, making it a haunting tribute to forgotten worlds.
Women, Music, and Hidden Histories – May 22
The next screening on May 22 brings us Las calles de Granada (2023), a lyrical short by Isabel Medarde. Set in 1941 during a traditional village festival, the film veers unexpectedly when a rivalry between two girls erupts mid-dance, echoing the folk song playing in the background. This surreal, time-blurring drama fuses folklore, femininity, and the supernatural into one mesmerizing dance of fate.
It is followed by Secundarias (2023) by Arturo Dueñas, a stunning one-take film chronicling the chaos and camaraderie of a group of actresses preparing for a stage play about Emperor Charles V. As fiction collides with reality backstage, viewers are drawn into a layered narrative about the women who orbit power, often overlooked, yet essential to its story.
A Debate Echoing Through Centuries – May 29
The film series concludes on May 29 with La Controversia de Valladolid (2023), a historical drama by Juan Rodríguez-Briso. Revisiting the 16th-century philosophical duel between Bartolomé de las Casas and Ginés de Sepúlveda, the film dramatizes the first recorded human rights debate in world history. The relevance is painfully clear—nearly 500 years later, we still struggle with the same moral questions of justice, dignity, and humanity.
Free Admission to a World of Insight
All films will be screened in Spanish with English subtitles at the Instituto Cervantes Intramuros (855 Calle Real, San Luis Complex, Intramuros, Manila). Admission is free and open to all, with seating available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more details, visit www.manila.cervantes.es or follow Instituto Cervantes Manila on Facebook.
An Invitation to Discover, Reflect, and Connect
This film series is not just a showcase of cinematic talent—it is a call to understand a region rich in nuance and spirit. It is a reminder that great stories do not always come from the centers of power, but often from its peripheries—from sheep trails, village feasts, backstage dressing rooms, and ancient debates that still shape our present.
Through this journey across Castilla y León’s cinematic landscape, Instituto Cervantes Manila reaffirms the power of film as a universal language—one that can build bridges between cultures, across oceans, and through time. Will you join the conversation?
Ross is known as the Pambansang Blogger ng Pilipinas - An Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Professional by profession and a Social Media Evangelist by heart.
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