Leading Basque cinema. This year, Bilbao basque FEST is screening the award-winning film Irati by director Paul Urkijo, which was the highest-grossing Basque-language film in history. Celebrated for its success at the Sitges Film Festival and nominated for a total of five Goya Awards, this fantasy feature film will be screened daily at the Sala BBK from 18:00 onwards.
“Irati” is the star screening in the Basque Cinema programme
“Irati”, the work by Paul Urkijo which combines adventure, fantasy and Basque mythology, is the feature film that will be screened from Thursday to Saturday at Sala BBK as part of the Basque Cinema programme. An award winner at Sitges Film Festival (Audience Award and Best Special Effects) and nominated for five Goya Awards, this production, suitable for audiences aged 16 and up, is set in the 8th century and follows Eneko, a young Christian from the Pyrenees who aspires to become the leader of the valley.
When Charlemagne’s army crosses the region, the chief of the valley turns to the goddess Mari for help to protect his people and defeats the enemy at the Battle of Roncesvalles. The price for this is his own life. Before dying, he makes his son Eneko promise to lead and defend their people in a new era. Years later, Eneko sets out to fulfil his promise, embarking on a mission to retrieve his father’s body, buried in a pagan rite alongside Charlemagne’s treasure. To succeed, he will need the help of Irati, a mysterious pagan woman.
Enjoy Basque culture with all five senses at Bilbao basque FEST
Celebrate the enormous cultural wealth of the Basque Country this Easter at Bilbao basque FEST! From 16th to 19th April, the city offers many activities, most of them free, with something for everyone: concerts, theatre performances, cinema, stand-up comedy, traditional dances, Basque traditional sports (herri kirolak), and more.
Download the program