Nominated for the Michael Powell Award for Best British Film at the 70th Edinburgh International Film Festival, Pikadero, the debut feature film by local talent Ben Sharrock will finally have it’s UK premiere. Made entirely in the Basque language, the 28 year old’s debut premiered in San Sebastian International Film Festival last September and has gone to win multiple awards in festivals all over the world. The 70th EIFF will be the first time the film has been shown in the UK and Sharrock is delighted to be bringing the film home to local audiences.
Edinburgh based Writer and Director Ben Sharrock met Basque producer, Irune Gurtubai while studying at film school, Screen Academy Scotland, in Edinburgh. They started their own production company, Caravan Cinema, and made their first feature film, Pikadero, in 2015, after making a short film version called Patata Tortilla, which won two BAFTA New Talent Awards for Best Film and Best Writer in 2015. The film is shot entirely in the Basque region of Spain and in the Basque language. Made on a shoestring, Pikadero premiered at the prestigious San Sebastian International Film Festival where it was nominated for Best New Director. It went on to entertain audiences in major international film festivals all over the world and win multiple awards including the Critic’s Choice Award in Zurich, the FIPRESCI award in Kiev and Best Film in Kiev.
Although Scottish, Sharrock has been lauded as a “new voice in Spanish cinema” and Pikadero has been selected by the Spanish Film Academy as an example of outstanding Spanish Independent cinema. The film picked up theatrical distribution and tv sales in Spain and the young team are now hoping to reach wider audiences back home in the UK. Having seen different audience responses all over the world, Ben can’t wait to see how people react to the film in his home town, Edinburgh.
The filmmakers Ben Sharrock and Irune Guturbai will be doing Q&As at both public screenings of Pikadero, on the 19th and 22nd June at Cineworld.
“Touching, absurd and visually striking.” The Hollywood Reporter
“Pure cinematic skill and sophistication.” The FIPRESCI Jury
“An impressive new talent.” Screen International
Useful Links:
http://www.bensharrock.com http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/pikadero-review/5097074.articlehttp://www.screendaily.com/features/pikadero-basque-debut-with-a-scottish-view/ 5094426.article
http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/uk/scotland/article4575093.ece