Basque Cinema Leans Genre at Sitges With ‘Gaua,’ ‘Decorado,’ ‘Balearic,’ ‘Singular’

For more than a decade, Basque cinema has increased reach at San Sebastián and beyond, largely on the back of auteur dramas and robust regional support. This year, at Sitges four Basque films are unspooling, and all of them, from animation to folk horror to high-concept sci-fi, are rooted in genre.

Four Films, Four Directions

Sitges audiences will get a first taste of Paul Urkijo’s “Gaua”, his third Basque-language feature after the breakout success of “Errementari” and hit “Irati.” Produced by Irusoin, Ikusgarri Films and Vilaüt Films, the film plunges into nocturnal folklore and 17th-century superstition as Kattalin, played by Yune Nogueiras,…