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Festival coverage

San Sebastian Film Festival

22 September – 30 September 2017

James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander in Submergence
James McAvoy and Alicia Vikander in Submergence

The festival opened on September 22 with the European premiere of Wim Wenders' Submergence and closed on September 30 with The Wife.

Argentinian star Ricardo Darín and Monica Bellucci received lifetime Donostia Awards. There was also a retrospective programme of Joseph Losey films. The Golden Shell was won by The Disaster Artist.

Other years (17)

Box office and information

Latest reviews

  • Mr Klein
    Review preview for Mr Klein

    Losey had shown how adept he was at claustrophobic interiors before, with the likes of The Servant, but here he also shows a flair for more abstract sweeping cinema.

    Amber Wilkinson · 5 out of 5
    A man who is taking advantage of his fleeing Jewish neighbours in the Second World War becomes obsessed with his Jewish 'double'.
  • The Servant
    Review preview for The Servant

    Bogarde, proving not for the first time that he was a whole lot more than just a pretty face, brings a real subtlety and edge to Barratt, letting just enough of the Machiavellian glint through to let us know there's more to this than first appears.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
    Psychological thriller about a servant who begins to manipulate his employer.
  • The Criminal
    Review preview for The Criminal

    Even though the physical violence is kept to a minimum, Losey uses the sound of a riot to help feed the mounting oppression, mirroring the psychological turmoil within Bannion himself.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    A freshly released convict aims for a fresh heist.
  • The Go-Between
    Review preview for The Go-Between

    Both Losey and Pinter are less interested in the romance itself than in the way its illicit nature exposes the class divide.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    When a youngster goes to stay with a wealthy friend, he finds himself caught up as a messenger boy for a clandestine affair.
  • Wonders Of The Sea
    Review preview for Wonders Of The Sea

    A chance to see the seas in a new way.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    Nature documentary, narrated by Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • Braguino
    Review preview for Braguino

    With indelible images born from an unflinching gaze, Clément Cogitore's Braguino lets us feel enraptured in an impossible community - cradled by archaic myth and awed by a sublime nature.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 4.5 out of 5
    Documentary about a remote Siberian town and a feud between two families who live there.
  • The Desert Bride
    Review preview for The Desert Bride

    Capturing this moment, this opening up, writer/director team Cecilia Atán and Valeria Pivato demonstrate that there's room on the big screen for small things.

    Jennie Kermode · 3 out of 5
    When a live-in maid's path crosses that of a travelling salesman, her life will change forever.
  • The Captain
    Review preview for The Captain

    There is nothing charming left in this all-is-lost and boys-will-be-boys scenario when violence perpetuates itself and decency is nowhere to be found.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 4 out of 5
    At the end of the Second World War, a young German soldier steals a captain's uniform. Impersonating an officer he gathers a group of deserters and proceeds to kill is way through a beaten Nazi Germany.
  • Summer 1993
    Review preview for Summer 1993

    The film wears its story lightly. Even when Simón is dealing with heavier themes her focus is on Frida and her emotions.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    A young girl struggles to adapt to her new life in the countryside after the death of her mum.
  • Mountain
    Review preview for Mountain

    Ozturk's cinematography would be stunning even without such remarkable subjects, and the film is a visual delight from start to finish.

    Jennie Kermode · 3.5 out of 5
    Documentary about the world's highest peaks.

A–Z of San Sebastian Film Festival 2017 reviews

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