The Spanish Film Academy has announced the winners of the 40th Goya Awards. The biggest winner of the evening turned out to be the family drama "Los domingos" directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa, which won statuettes in the most important categories, including Best Film and Best Director. Although the production "Sirāt" collected more awards numerically, this intimate story about human relationships dominated the prestigious competition, confirming the strong position of Basque cinema.

"Los domingos" the big winner

The film won the most important awards, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Leading Actress.

Success of Basque cinema

This year's gala confirmed the dominance of creators from the Basque Country, who are playing an increasingly important role in the Spanish film industry.

Competition with the film "Sirāt"

The production from Galicia won more statuettes in technical categories, but lost in the most important artistic categories.

The anniversary 40th Goya Awards gala, held in Barcelona, brought a decisive victory for the film "Los domingos" ("Sundays"). The film directed by Alauda Ruiz de Azúa was named Best Film of the year, and the director herself received the award for Best Director. The jury appreciated the authenticity and emotional depth of the production, which tells a story about complicated family bonds and personal crises. This success is another step in the brilliant career of the Basque filmmaker, who previously gained recognition with the film "Cinco lobitos". The lead role was played by Patricia López Arnaiz, who was honored with the award for Best Actress, further strengthening this title's triumph. The prestigious Goya Awards, presented since 1987 by the Spanish Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences, are considered the Spanish equivalent of the Oscars and are the most important barometer of the health of the Iberian film industry.An interesting phenomenon of this year's edition was the competition between "Los domingos" and the Galician production "Sirāt". Although the latter film won a greater number of statuettes in technical categories, Ruiz de Azúa's work won in the key sectors that decided the artistic prestige of the evening. The media emphasize that the gala became a manifestation of the strength of Basque cinematography, which for years has systematically been winning the most important laurels in Spain. The director in her statements emphasized that the film was a risky project and she did not expect such an enthusiastic reception, both from critics and the general public. „era una pel3cula arriesgada. Nunca cre3mos que creciera tanto” (It was a risky film. We never thought it would grow so much.) — Alauda Ruiz de Azúa The evening was not without ideological controversies. Conservative organizations criticized actress Silvia Abril for her statements about Christianity made on the red carpet. At the same time, the director of "Los domingos" referred to the interpretation of her film by young viewers, pointing out that the thread of the main character's religious vocation is treated by them as an existential metaphor, not solely a religious one. The gala was dominated by an atmosphere of "triunfo colectivo" (collective triumph), celebrating the diversity and courage of contemporary Spanish cinema, which can combine local identities with a universal message.

Mentioned People