DIRECTOR: Isaki Lacuesta, Pol Rodríguez
STARRING: Daniel Ibanez, Cristalino, Stephanie Magnin
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 46 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish, English
At the end of the 90s, Granada is in the middle of a cultural boom. Against that background, an indie band is about the change the music scene in Spain. Just before creating their new album, the band is going through its worst possible moment.
***
Directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, Saturn Return premiered at the Malaga Film Festival, winning prizes for best director, best editing and best Spanish film. It has been making the festival rounds, screening at the Seattle Film Festival, the Guadalajara Film Festival, and the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. It was released theatrically in Spain in May 2024. Lacuesta’s previous features include The Next Skin (2016), Between Two Waters (2018) and One Year, One Night (2022). Rodríguez directed the 2016 film Quatretondeta.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain announced on September 18th that Saturn Return will represent Spain in the upcoming 97th edition of the Oscars. The film has triumphed over the shortlisted films The Blue Star and Marco. Asked about the nomination, Isaki Lacuesta joked, “I only see weaknesses in the film, I am very happy that there are people who have perceived it differently and I trust that with English subtitles it will improve greatly."
The film is produced by Ikiru Films, La Terraza Films, Áralan Films, Bteam Prods, Sideral Cinema, Los Ilusos Films, and Toxicosmos AIE, with Bteam Pictures distributing it in Spain.
Saturn Return is a musical drama and it was filmed in Granada, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Spain, click HERE.
STARRING: Daniel Ibanez, Cristalino, Stephanie Magnin
RUNNING TIME: 1 hr 46 minutes
LANGUAGE: Spanish, English
At the end of the 90s, Granada is in the middle of a cultural boom. Against that background, an indie band is about the change the music scene in Spain. Just before creating their new album, the band is going through its worst possible moment.
***
Directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, Saturn Return premiered at the Malaga Film Festival, winning prizes for best director, best editing and best Spanish film. It has been making the festival rounds, screening at the Seattle Film Festival, the Guadalajara Film Festival, and the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema. It was released theatrically in Spain in May 2024. Lacuesta’s previous features include The Next Skin (2016), Between Two Waters (2018) and One Year, One Night (2022). Rodríguez directed the 2016 film Quatretondeta.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences of Spain announced on September 18th that Saturn Return will represent Spain in the upcoming 97th edition of the Oscars. The film has triumphed over the shortlisted films The Blue Star and Marco. Asked about the nomination, Isaki Lacuesta joked, “I only see weaknesses in the film, I am very happy that there are people who have perceived it differently and I trust that with English subtitles it will improve greatly."
The film is produced by Ikiru Films, La Terraza Films, Áralan Films, Bteam Prods, Sideral Cinema, Los Ilusos Films, and Toxicosmos AIE, with Bteam Pictures distributing it in Spain.
Saturn Return is a musical drama and it was filmed in Granada, Spain.
To check out all previous submissions for Spain, click HERE.
FILM REVIEW:
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Until its orbit is complete, you’re stuck where you are.”
Saturn Return, directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, is a masterful and captivating journey into the heart of indie rock and the struggles that accompany success. While inspired by the legendary Spanish band Los Planetas, the film transcends the typical rock biopic format, offering a dreamlike, poetic exploration of friendship, artistic tension, and the complexities of ambition. With its visually stunning aesthetic and rich emotional depth, Saturn Return stands out as an engaging and thoughtful work of cinema, equally appealing to music lovers and general audiences alike.
Lacuesta and Rodríguez have crafted a non-linear, fragmented story that moves seamlessly between past and present, allowing the audience to experience the internal chaos of the characters. This disjointed yet cohesive storytelling style mirrors the band's own struggles with identity and creativity, creating a compelling emotional landscape that draws the viewer in. The film’s experimental approach, with its use of voiceovers, conflicting memories, and ethereal transitions, sets it apart from more conventional music films, offering a fresh and innovative take on the genre.
Saturn Return is a feast for the senses. Cinematographer Takuro Takeuchi’s fluid, restless camerawork enhances the film’s emotional tension, capturing both the beauty and melancholy of the band’s journey. The atmospheric shots of Granada’s narrow streets, juxtaposed with the bustling chaos of New York, create a rich, textured backdrop that reflects the band’s inner turmoil. Particularly striking are the nighttime sequences in New York, which pay homage to Federico García Lorca’s Poet in New York and serve as a powerful metaphor for the characters’ own search for meaning and redemption.
At the core of the film is the relationship between the Singer and the Guitarist, whose complex bond is both the emotional anchor and narrative driver of the story. Lacuesta and Rodríguez handle this relationship with sensitivity, avoiding clichés and allowing it to unfold with nuance and subtlety. Whether rooted in friendship, love, or something more ambiguous, their connection is deeply felt, and the tension between them adds layers of emotional intensity to the film. The performances by Daniel Ibáñez and Cristalino are compelling, bringing authenticity and rawness to their roles that resonate long after the credits roll.
Saturn Return is a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich film that captures the essence of artistic struggle and the price of success. With its innovative storytelling, stunning visuals, and deeply human themes, it transcends the genre of music films to become something much more profound. Lacuesta and Rodríguez have created a film that not only honours the spirit of Los Planetas but also speaks to universal truths about ambition, friendship, and the passage of time. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates bold, thoughtful cinema.
(This review contains spoilers.)
“Until its orbit is complete, you’re stuck where you are.”
Saturn Return, directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Pol Rodríguez, is a masterful and captivating journey into the heart of indie rock and the struggles that accompany success. While inspired by the legendary Spanish band Los Planetas, the film transcends the typical rock biopic format, offering a dreamlike, poetic exploration of friendship, artistic tension, and the complexities of ambition. With its visually stunning aesthetic and rich emotional depth, Saturn Return stands out as an engaging and thoughtful work of cinema, equally appealing to music lovers and general audiences alike.
Lacuesta and Rodríguez have crafted a non-linear, fragmented story that moves seamlessly between past and present, allowing the audience to experience the internal chaos of the characters. This disjointed yet cohesive storytelling style mirrors the band's own struggles with identity and creativity, creating a compelling emotional landscape that draws the viewer in. The film’s experimental approach, with its use of voiceovers, conflicting memories, and ethereal transitions, sets it apart from more conventional music films, offering a fresh and innovative take on the genre.
Saturn Return is a feast for the senses. Cinematographer Takuro Takeuchi’s fluid, restless camerawork enhances the film’s emotional tension, capturing both the beauty and melancholy of the band’s journey. The atmospheric shots of Granada’s narrow streets, juxtaposed with the bustling chaos of New York, create a rich, textured backdrop that reflects the band’s inner turmoil. Particularly striking are the nighttime sequences in New York, which pay homage to Federico García Lorca’s Poet in New York and serve as a powerful metaphor for the characters’ own search for meaning and redemption.
At the core of the film is the relationship between the Singer and the Guitarist, whose complex bond is both the emotional anchor and narrative driver of the story. Lacuesta and Rodríguez handle this relationship with sensitivity, avoiding clichés and allowing it to unfold with nuance and subtlety. Whether rooted in friendship, love, or something more ambiguous, their connection is deeply felt, and the tension between them adds layers of emotional intensity to the film. The performances by Daniel Ibáñez and Cristalino are compelling, bringing authenticity and rawness to their roles that resonate long after the credits roll.
Saturn Return is a beautifully crafted, emotionally rich film that captures the essence of artistic struggle and the price of success. With its innovative storytelling, stunning visuals, and deeply human themes, it transcends the genre of music films to become something much more profound. Lacuesta and Rodríguez have created a film that not only honours the spirit of Los Planetas but also speaks to universal truths about ambition, friendship, and the passage of time. It is a must-see for anyone who appreciates bold, thoughtful cinema.
