Soirée de Clôture

This is a story of stories. An acknowledgement of those we have cast to the back of our minds. A desire to give voice to some of those who have been silenced by indifference and a modest tribute to those who never looked the other way. Above all however it represents the intention of five influential directors to make the real-life and unique protagonists visible, those who we would prefer to continue believing are invisible.

Mariano Barroso / Bianca’s Dream
Born in Spain in 1959, Mariano Barroso moved to Los Angeles at the age of 28, where he studied at the American Film Institute. His films explore the relationship between social success and the ethical and moral principles of his characters. He directed many films for cinema and television, and also worked for theatre. His films have won various prizes as in Toulouse, Berlin and London Festivals, Goya, New York Critics Circle, Luis Buñuel.

Isabel Coixet / Letters to Nora
Born in Spain in 1960, Isabel Coixet studied history at the University of Barcelona, and worked as a journalist before becoming a filmmaker. She has also worked on a large number of commercials. In 1996 she directed her first feature-length film in the United States. Among her films: My life without me (2003); Bastille, part of Paris, je t’aime (2006), Me duele más a mí, a documentary on abuse, Viaje al corazón de la tortura. Award include: Goya, Ondas, Fotogramas, Cannes Advertising Festival (British Telecom commercial).

Fernando León de Aranoa / Good Night, Ouma
Born in Spain in 1968 and graduated in Visual Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid, he worked extensively as a screenwriter before going into directing, and has published short stories. In 2004 he set up his own production company, Reposado. Among his films as director and screenwriter: Barrio, Caminantes, an award-winning documentary at Havana and Los Angeles festivals..

Javier Corcuera/ The Voice of the Stones
Born in Peru in 1967, he studied cinema in Peru and Visual Sciences at the Complutense University of Madrid. The majority of his work is made up of documentaries. He directed several short documentaries as well as features. He won prizes in international festivals including the Critics Award at the San Sebastian Festival and a Havana Film Festival award. He is co-director of the Sahara International Film Festival.

Wim Wenders / Invisible Crimes
Born in Germany in 1945, Wim Wenders has been a scriptwriter, actor, director of documentaries and television programmes, and has an extensive filmography. Among them: Paris, Texas, Wings of desire, Buena Vista Social Club. He has honorary doctorates from the Sorbonne in Paris and Freiburg University’s Theological Faculty. He is currently president of the European Film Academy. His films won plenty of awards (Cannes, Berlin, Venice etc…).