Once Upon a Time in Euskadi

Set in the 1980s, turbulent years for the Basque Country (embroiled at the time in political violence and terrorism) Once Upon a Time in Euskadi is an emotional coming-of-age drama where a group of 12-year-old friends learn to deal with loss and adversity through the power of friendship.

Marcos and his 3 friends, José Antonio, Paquito and Toni, look forward to a summer break full of promise. In reality, they while away their hours in a maze of painted walls, where rubber balls and dreams bounce together. Under a sky tainted in the grey of prefabricated concrete, the boys try to emerge unscathed from a tumultuous environment.

This debut feature film from Basque filmmaker Manu Gómez is semi-auto biographical and inspired by his own childhood, seen through the eyes of the four young friends. Featuring a contagious soundtrack and a fresh cast of up-andcoming actors including Arón Piper (Elite), Luis Callejo (Below Zero) and Asier Flores (Pain & Glory), this is a bittersweet story of innocence lost and hope found.