La Bola Negra directors Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo said an extended theatrical release of their film was always “part of the deal” with Netflix when the streaming platform acquired US rights to the film at Cannes.
“We wanted a [theatrical release] so badly. We made a movie for the screen, for theatres,” Ambrossi told Screen at the BFI London Film Festival Gala screening last night (October 8).
“Netflix understood that and it was a part of the deal. They wanted it.”
Netflix went on to acquire Canadian rights to the film and will release the queer Spanish epic in North American cinemas for 47 days before debuting on Netflix from December 2.
Altitude has UK and Ireland rights to the film and is releasing the film theatrically on November 6.
“It’s going to be premiering in theatres in over 50 countries; it’s crazy, and we’re very happy with the work Altitude is doing here in the UK and Ireland,” Ambrossi continued.
The directors also revealed they had a recent video call with Anne Hathaway but were tight-lipped on whether the trio discussed a future role for the actor.
“She had been saying on red carpets that she watched La Bola Negra,” Calvo explained of how they connected. “We discussed the themes of the movie. I was starstruck.”
The film follows three interconnected stories that explore what it means to be gay in different eras in Spain. It stars musician Guitarricadelafuente in his first acting performance, popular Spanish actor Miguel Bernardeau and Penelope Cruz in a supporting role.
Recalling the film’s premiere in Cannes, Guitarricadelafuente said: “Tilda Swinton was sat just in front of us and was one of the first people that I saw turning around and clapping. That was really shocking.
“But what shocked me the most was to see so many young people on the second floor clapping to this movie and being connected to that. It was very emotional.”
La Bola Negra has broken records in Spain to become the biggest opening for a Spanish film by an independent distributor, Elastica Film, in history.
The BFI London Film Festival continues until October 18.
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