San Sebastián Film Festival explores themes of death and history

The San Sebastián International Film Festival featured several heavy-themed screenings focused on death, memory, and historical trauma.

Chilean director Pablo Larraín presented ‘Mis muertos tristes’, a story involving a retired doctor who perceives the final moments of the deceased. Based on the work of Mariana Enriquez, the film blends supernatural elements with social and familial violence, though critics noted its narrative structure felt more akin to a Netflix miniseries than a traditional cinematic experience.

Other notable screenings included David Pérez Sañudo’s ‘Sacamantecas’, a visually ambitious period piece set in 19th-century Álava. The film explores the life of Juan Díaz de Garayo, a figure often mythologized as a serial killer, while examining the systemic failures and social conditions of the era. Additionally, Benjamín Naishtat’s ‘Glaxo’ addressed Argentine political history, and Daniel Monzón’s ‘Ruega por Nosotras’ examined lives impacted by Francoist institutions.