OBABA, by Montxo Armendáriz to open the 53rd Donostia-San Sebastián International Film Festival

The world release of Obaba, much awaited latest oeuvre by Montxo Armendáriz based on Bernardo Atxaga’s prizewinning novel, will open the 53rd Donostia - San Sebastián International Film Festival on 15th September next as part of the Official Section in competition for the Golden Shell.

Ever since he read Bernardo Atxaga’s book Obabakoak, published in 1988, Montxo Armendáriz had wanted to take it to the big screen. But the complexity of the narration, with its variety of people and stories, drove him to bide his time until coming up with the perfect way to link the different aspects in a movie faithful to the spirit and soul of the work, although he audaciously tells it in another way. The result is a film version of Obaba reflecting its book namesake; an Obaba in which author Bernardo Atxaga himself has recognized the full wealth of his world.

With Pilar López de Ayala, Juan Diego Botto, Bárbara Lenni, Eduard Fernández, Peter Lohmeyer and Mercedes Sampietro in the leading parts, the film recreates the imaginary Obaba in the magnificent landscapes of Navarre through the lens of Javier Aguirresarobe.

Montxo Armendáriz carried off the Golden Shell in 1990 with “Cartas de Alou” (“Letters from Alou”), the Silver Shell in 1986 with “27 horas” (“27 Hours”) and the Fipresci Award in 1984 with “Tasio”. He also sat on the Official Jury in 1995.

Obaba features among a series of Spanish movies to be presented at the San Sebastián Festival, the full list of which will be announced in the next few days.