A new teacher arrives in a conservative village in northern Spain in 1935. He removes the crucifix from the classroom wall. He teaches the children to waltz… Shows them plants and flowers… Instead of parroting their ABCs he has them setting up a printing press. The children are enraptured. Their parents, dismayed.
This is the opening act of The Teacher Who Promised the Sea (El maestro que prometió el mar), Patricia Font’s debut feature, and our Opening Night attraction for the 2025 edition of New Spanish Cinema (January 3 – 7).
In collaboration with our friends at Ibero-American Images, we’ve pulled together five films touching on some challenging subject matter: assisted death, sexism, the civil war, mothers… But doing so with hope, heart, song, dance, and a side serving of fine red wine.
Salud!
Presented with
Supported by
Opening Gala: The Teacher Who Promised the Sea
Based on a true story, Patricia Font’s drama excavates a dark period in Spanish history. Antoni Benaiges takes up a village teaching position in 1935. But his new-fangled ideas about learning outrage the local priest. + Tapas, Serrano ham, wine or beer, flamenco dancing
Little Loves
Teresa (María Vázquez) is compelled to change her holiday plans to help her proudly independent mother (Adriana Ozores), who has had a fall. Mother and daughter will spend a stifling summer disagreeing on everything -- but finding each other again.
I Am Nevenka
Bollain's film is based on the true story of a young city councillor who reported the mayor for sexual misconduct, and faced a barrage of sexist innuendo and criticism -- but refused to back down.
They Will Be Dust
When stage veteran Claudia decides she doesn't want to wait out her terminal illness, longtime partner and director Flavi calls the family together to break the news... Fantastic musical numbers and comedy offset scenes of wrenching emotion.
The Teacher Who Promised the Sea
Based on a true story, Patricia Font’s drama excavates a dark period in Spanish history. Antoni Benaiges takes up a village teaching position in 1935. But his new-fangled ideas about learning outrage the local priest.
Rioja, Land of a Thousand Wines
Directed by multiple Goya award winner José Luis Lopez-Linares, this lip-smacking tour of Spain's best known wine region dives into the push and pull between tradition and innovation in an industry that is led by family dynasties.
Image © MORENA FILMS