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Festival coverage

San Sebastian Film Festival

20 September – 28 August 2024

San Sebastian celebrated its 72nd edition, with Pedro Almodóvar receiving a lifetime Donostia Award.

Other years (17)

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Latest reviews

  • April
    Review preview for April

    It’s not unusual to say that something cuts through the silence but in Dea Kulumbegashvili’s April it’s the silence that cuts through us.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
    After a newborn dies during delivery, the morals and professionalism of an ob-gyn, Nina, come under scrutiny amid rumors that she performs illegal abortions for those in need.
  • When Autumn Falls
    Review preview for When Autumn Falls

    The delight of the drama stems from the well crafted characters, while its heft hinges on toxicity that may not be immediately obvious.

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Michelle, a model grandmother, is enjoying peaceful retirement in a Burgundy village, close to her best friend Marie-Claude. On All Saints' Day, her daughter Valérie arrives to drop off her grandson Lucas for the school holiday week. But nothing will go to plan.
  • On Falling
    Review preview for On Falling

    Carreira shows how quiet desperation can be eroding

    Amber Wilkinson · 4.5 out of 5
    Trapped between the confines of her workplace and the solitude of her flat-share, a Portuguese warehouse picker in Scotland seeks to resist the loneliness, alienation and ensuing small talk which begin to threaten her sense of self.
  • The Seed Of The Sacred Fig
    Review preview for The Seed Of The Sacred Fig

    Grittily compelling

    Amber Wilkinson · 4 out of 5
    Investigating judge Iman grapples with paranoia amid political unrest in Tehran. When his gun vanishes, he suspects his wife and daughters, imposing draconian measures that strain family ties as societal rules crumble.
  • We Live In Time
    Review preview for We Live In Time

    A perfect example of just how much the stars of a film can elevate mediocre material by the strength of their performances.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3 out of 5
    Almut and Tobias are brought together in a surprise encounter that changes their lives.
  • The Wild Robot
    Review preview for The Wild Robot

    The film mines a lot of clichés but manages to do something a little different with them, blending traditional elements of children’s fiction with a distinctly 21st Century sensibility.

    Jennie Kermode · 4 out of 5
    A robot designed to assist humans finds herself stranded on an island populated only by animals.
  • Conclave
    Review preview for Conclave

    Director Edward Berger and his director of photography Stephane Fontaine have made every frame art.

    Andrew Robertson · 4 out of 5
    Drama surrounding the election of a new Pope.
  • Anora
    Review preview for Anora

    What isn't untrue is that Anora is brilliant.

    Andrew Robertson · 4.5 out of 5
    Anora, a young sex worker from Brooklyn, gets her chance at a Cinderella story when she meets and impulsively marries the son of an oligarch.
  • The Room Next Door
    Review preview for The Room Next Door

    Almodóvar goes all out with the delights fashion has to offer, bright colours, the joy of transformation - because it is never too late for sartorial metamorphosis.

    Anne-Katrin Titze · 5 out of 5
    When Ingrid finds out that her old friend Martha is seriously ill, they reunite and embark on a journey of discoveries.
  • In Her Place
    Review preview for In Her Place

    Much of this is played for whimsical comedy, although there are some barbs where you might not expect them.

    Amber Wilkinson · 3.5 out of 5
    Chile, 1955. When the popular writer María Carolina Geel kills her lover, the case captivates court secretary Mercedes, who begins to question her life.

A–Z of San Sebastian Film Festival 2024 reviews

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