UPDATE: Netflix has just moved up the theatrical release date of Cannes winner La Bola Negra to Oct. 16 with a drop on the service on Dec. 2, giving the Los Javis directed movie a 46-day theatrical window.
The pic is receiving a U.S. platform release. Netflix also scooped up the rights to La Bola Negra in Canada, where the film has been selected for Toronto International Film Festival’s Special Presentations section. Oscar winner Penelope Cruz will receive a Special Tribute Award at the TIFF Tribute Awards.
PREVIOUS JUNE 24: Netflix is giving its Cannes pick-up La Bola Negra a 28-day theatrical window beginning Nov. 6. The movie, which won Best Directors at Cannes for Javier Ambrosia and Javier Calvo (known as Los Javis), will debut on Netflix on Dec. 4.
La Bola Negra spans nearly a century of Spanish history from the 30s to modern day. The film tells the story of three men whose lives are intimately connected through desire, pain, and inheritance. La Bola Negra received a 20-minute standing ovation at its Cannes world premiere.
Said the filmmakers in a joint statement this AM: “When we began writing La Bola Negra, we wanted to tell a story about freedom, legacy, and the importance of LGBTQ+ visibility. Above all, we wanted to honor the generations of people whose courage and sacrifice made our freedoms possible today.”
They added, “We couldn’t imagine a better home than Netflix to bring this story to audiences across the United States. We are deeply grateful and excited that its message will reach millions of viewers and help carry Federico García Lorca’s legacy to audiences around the world. This is the beginning of an extraordinary new chapter for La Bola Negra, and we can’t wait for audiences to discover it.”
La Bola Negra‘s cast includes Spanish music star Guitarricadelafuente making his acting debut, Elite star Miguel Bernardeau, alongside Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Lola Duenas, Julio Torres, Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. Los Javis co-wrote La Bola Negra with Alberto Conejero and produced alongside Jorge Pezzi.
La Bola Negra is the first feature from Calvo and Ambrossi since 2017’s Holy Camp! The duo’s last project was the Movistar Plus+ series La Mesías (2023), which premiered at the San Sebastian Film Festival and was screened at the Sundance Film Festival.
Goodfellas and CAA Media Finance sold La Bola Negra at Cannes, U.S. rights going for $4M-$5M to Netflix.
