Rodrigo Sorogoyen's film The Beloved ('El ser querido') premiered at the Cannes Film Festival on May 16, featuring a 20-minute opening scene set in a Madrid restaurant. The film stars Javier Bardem as Esteban Martínez, a renowned director reconnecting with his estranged daughter Emilia, played by Victoria Luengo.
Unconventional Filmmaking
Sorogoyen shot the opening scene on the first day of filming, instructing Bardem and Luengo to avoid prior interaction or rehearsal. The director emphasized spontaneity, stating, "In addition to the 10 pages of script they had to perform, they had to talk (or remain silent) for the hour and a half that the encounter would last." He described the resulting 20-minute scene as "pure gold."
During a presentation at his production house Caballo in Madrid, Sorogoyen discussed the film's experimental nature. The prologue was shot digitally, and as the narrative transitions to the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, the film incorporates a mix of digital, 35mm, 16mm, and 8mm formats, as well as color and black-and-white cinematography.
Collaboration with Javier Bardem
Javier Bardem's involvement was crucial to the film's experimental approach. Sorogoyen praised Bardem's versatility, noting, "He’s very intelligent and with his feet on the ground, the least star of stars that can exist. If I made seven takes of the same shot, he’d deliver seven different performances."
The production was supported by Movistar Plus+ and Le Pacte, which allowed Sorogoyen to take creative risks. "If this had been my first film, I wouldn’t have taken so many risks," he reflected, acknowledging the trust and budget provided by the producers as key enablers.
Exploring Themes and Techniques
Sorogoyen and long-time collaborator Isabel Peña have consistently explored themes related to masculinity and power dynamics. With The Beloved, they delve into storytelling, as Sorogoyen explains, "It is hugely important that Esteban Martínez is a father and film director. We had that clear from the beginning." However, the film isn't solely about toxic patriarchy; it's a broader exploration of narrative and self-perception.
The director deployed various cinematic styles to reflect characters' emotions and perspectives, using black-and-white for introspective moments. Sorogoyen stated, "As a director and actor, Esteban and Emilia are storytellers. The focus is 'about storytelling, and how we tell stories to relate to ourselves, as a society and individuals.'"
Storytelling Through Visuals
In a pivotal restaurant scene, Esteban and Emilia debate past events, like a heated argument during a screening of Kill Bill 2. Sorogoyen describes the film as a quest for a shared understanding of their relationship and history, aiming to bridge their fractured past.
Through innovative techniques and a compelling narrative, The Beloved stands as an ambitious project that showcases Sorogoyen's directorial prowess and Bardem's acting range.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/javier-bardem-rodrigo-sorogoyen-the-beloved-1236748576/
