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Berlin-based sales company M-Appeal has acquired international distribution rights to “Saints,” a highly anticipated feature from Spanish director Mikel Gurrea. The film will premiere in the main competition section at the San Sebastián Film Festival, scheduled for September 18-26, marking one of the event’s most prominent selections.
The drama stars Victoria Luengo, known for her role opposite Javier Bardem in “The Beloved,” as Lali, a drifter and thief who returns to Barcelona after learning her estranged mother is seriously ill. Upon arrival, she becomes entangled with a group of religious artifact thieves led by a charismatic former nun, forcing her to navigate conflicting loyalties between her newfound companions and her biological family.
“Saints” represents Gurrea’s second feature film, following his 2022 debut “Suro,” which also premiered at San Sebastián. The Catalan-language production demonstrates increased ambition in its visual style, production scope, and narrative complexity. M-Appeal praised both Gurrea’s direction and Luengo’s performance, describing the film as a character-driven heist thriller that balances humor with emotional depth and concludes on an uplifting note.
The film was produced through a collaboration between Spanish and Italian production companies, including Nocturna Pictures, Lastor Media, Deliris Films, and Kino Produzioni. Co-written by Francisco Kosterlitz, the project reflects growing efforts among Catalan filmmakers to secure international financing for productions aimed at wider global audiences.
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Originally reported by Variety →
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