Spanish director Aina Clotet's feature debut, 'Viva', was shortlisted for Cannes' Critics' Week, marking a significant milestone in her career.
From Acting to Directing
Aina Clotet, known for her acting, first gained recognition at Canneseries in 2024. Her directorial journey began at 11, acting on TV3's 'Estació d’enllaç', and later writing while studying at Barcelona's Pompeu Fabra. She says, “I started writing stories and realized that I might like to direct.”
Collaborations and Production
'Viva', featuring the protagonist Nora, is a narrative of resilience and environmental advocacy. Clotet collaborated with producer Edmon Roch, describing him as “the best producer in Spain.” Roch praises Clotet’s ability to portray complex characters, noting, “There’s a lot of truth in the story.”
Creating Funicular Films
Clotet founded Funicular Films, aiming to produce diverse projects. She says, “Producing is a very organic thing for me.” The production of 'Viva' was a co-production with Roch, allowing Clotet to explore her creative vision fully.
Narrative and Tone
Clotet emphasizes the importance of tone, mixing drama and humor to reflect life’s complexities. Collaborating with screenwriter Valentina Viso, 'Viva' delves into fears and desires. “We wanted to look at the human necessity to talk about feelings and our deepest fears,” Clotet explains.
'Viva' addresses themes of impermanence and the fear of cancer. “Talking about cancer was the best way we found to explore our deepest fear,” Clotet adds, aiming to depict life’s fragile nature.
Empowering Female Voices
Clotet acknowledges the growing presence of female directors, aspiring to tell more stories about women. She states, “We are still missing so many stories about women. We have so much to say.” 'Viva' contributes to this evolving narrative, portraying a nuanced female lead.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/aina-clotet-critics-week-title-viva-stories-about-women-1236745554/
