We wanted to make an epic gay drama for everyone: La Bola Negra directors

Spanish directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, known as Los Javis, have crafted an ambitious multi-generational drama called La Bola Negra by weaving together fragments of Federico García Lorca's unfinished play, La Piedra Oscura. The film spans from the Spanish Civil War to the present day, exploring forbidden love, historical memory, and the lives of LGBTQ+ individuals across generations.

La Bola Negra was awarded the People's Choice Award at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), and is now in contention for the Best International Feature Film at the upcoming Academy Awards. The film follows Sebastian, who joins the fascist army on the eve of the Spanish Civil War, drawn to Rafael, a prisoner of war. Another character is barred from his father's prestigious social club due to his sexuality.

Decades later, a gay historian must grapple with his family history after inheriting an unexpected legacy. The directors aimed to make the film's scale grand, believing that their queer stories are universal rather than niche. They wanted the film to convey empathy and humanity, making it as real as possible while remaining poetic.

The cast includes Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, and Milo Quifes. Produced by Calvo and Ambrossi, the film is backed by Netflix. The inspiration behind the film came from four unfinished pages by Lorca, which the directors meticulously researched to uncover the story they wanted to tell. The film beautifully blends elements of art, literature, theatre, and architecture, with 80 percent of the visuals aligning with the directors' original vision.

La Bola Negra was shot over 12 weeks at authentic locations across Spain, with the crew navigating challenging conditions like snow at 3,000 meters of altitude, rain, and fire.