On Monday, July 28, as part of the Atlàntida Mallorca Film Fest 2025, during the “Master of Cinema” TALKS held at the Es Baluard Museum, Spanish director and screenwriter Rodrigo Sorogoyen —winner of multiple Goya Awards and renowned for works such as As Bestas and The Realm— delivered a masterclass on his career and his vision of contemporary cinema.

During the event, Sorogoyen shared the excitement he feels when participating in such talks in intimate venues like Es Baluard. He highlighted how the direct contact with the audience and the energy present in these spaces remind him of why he began telling stories and the essence of his work as a filmmaker.

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Rodrigo Sorogoyen at Es Baluard

One of the central points of the conversation was the narrative tension that characterises his films. Sorogoyen explained that this stems from his obsession with the emotional truth of his characters rather than the conflict itself. His focus lies on how a person reacts when faced with extreme situations, exploring discomfort and moral ambiguity — elements he believes are essential for cinema to move the audience.

Referring to As Bestas, he discussed how cultural clashes and latent violence in rural settings have allowed him to delve into the human condition. Nonetheless, he stressed that he always seeks new challenges and different contexts to avoid repeating himself, although he admits that discomfort and intensity will remain integral to his vision.

He also spoke about his approach to working with actors, emphasising that what he seeks in a performer is truth —the ability to forget about acting and simply be. According to Sorogoyen, cinema exposes any pretence, and it is in an actor’s total surrender that the most magical moments arise.

Regarding the current landscape of Spanish cinema, he described it as both exciting and uncertain. Streaming platforms have opened new opportunities and narratives, but they also force filmmakers to rethink how stories are told. For Sorogoyen, the main challenge is to maintain identity and cinematic quality despite the changes in formats and viewing habits.

Finally, he revealed that he is currently writing a new film that will once again focus on the human condition but within a completely different context. While he did not share specific details, he stated that he aims to take risks, surprise himself, and surprise the audience.