Catalan cinema returns to Cambridge Film Festival for fifth consecutive year

Barcelona (CNA).- ‘Camera Catalonia’the most important fair in the UK dedicated to Catalan cinema will bring together four UK premieres, within the framework of the Cambridge Film Festival. “Everybody appreciates that cinema is one of best presentation letters to the world and that it is a perfect way to make us known to the world”, ‘Camera Catalonia’s curator, Ramon Lamarca, told the CNA. From the 20th to the 27th of October, the fifth edition of ‘Camera Catalonia’will feature two of the most successful box office comedies in recent years: ‘Barcelona Summer Night’ and the sequel ‘Barcelona Christmas Night’, by young director Dani de la Orden. There are two other premieres, the documentary about Xavier Cugat, a Catalan musician during the golden years of Hollywood who became one of the originators of the Latin sound, ‘Sex, Maracas & Chihuahuas’and ‘The Virus of Fear’ by renowned Catalan film director Ventura Pons.

The Catalan-Lithuanian co-production ‘Awaiting’, starring Nora Navas and Francesc Garrido will also be shown in ‘Camera Catalonia’although it is not a UK premiere. “We always chose films which, either because of their language or because of their content, reflect the Catalan idiosyncrasy”, explained Lamarca. Thus, “a film made in Catalonia but following English standards in terms of narrative models wouldn’t be the most appropriate choice”, explained Lamarca. However, he admitted that as a curator he tries to “bear in mind”what “could suit the British audience”and be “in accordance with the Cambridge Film Festival programme”. 

A consolidated festival

‘Camera Catalonia’features contemporary Catalan cinema and highlights the varied and creative output arising from one of Europe’s oldest cultures, and was back in Cambridge acclaimed by popular support. During its five editions, the audience has grown exponentially. “The films projected and the people invited has led to a greater interaction with the audience”, explained Lamarca. “The public has shown a growing interest in knowing Catalonia in the cultural, social and political sphere”, he added. 

The festival counts upon the support of the Institut Ramon Llull, the public body in charge of promoting Catalan culture and language abroad.

‘Camera Catalonia’is not the only Catalan film festival in the UK. For the last eight years, London has hosted the ‘Catalan Window’, a space dedicated to Catalan films within the London Spanish Film Festival.