Winner of the prestigious People’s Choice Award at TIFF earlier this month, La Bola Negra, the sprawling queer historical epic from directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (aka Los Javis) is poised to be Netflix’s heavy hitter this season. I think it’s their best shot at finally winning the Best Picture Oscar sought for so long.
La Bola Negra stars Spanish singer/songwriter Guitarricadelafuente in his feature acting debut, plus Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Dueñas, Julio Torres, Penélope Cruz, and Glenn Close. Calvo and Ambrossi co-wrote the screenplay with Alberto Conejero, based on unfinished work by slain poet and playwright Federico García Lorca, and Conejero’s stage play.
The accolades have been piling up, including Best Director at Cannes, and the Audience Awards at the San Sebastián and Sydney film festivals.
Here’s the synopsis: La Bola Negra tells the story of three generations of men whose lives are intimately connected through desire, pain, and love.
La Bola Negra hits theaters on October 16th before coming to Netflix on December 2nd. You can check out my early review here.
