Me pareció algo muy lejano.

Spanish director Carla Simón acknowledged that it seemed like a «very distant» possibility that her third film, ‘Peregrinaje’, would compete for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. The movie will hit theaters on September 5th.

«In general, what I do is believe that it won’t happen. In this case, being (in the competition), it seemed very far-fetched to me. So, when it does happen, you celebrate it, and if it doesn’t, because you’re mentally prepared,» she admitted in a conversation with journalists.

After winning with «Alcarràs», the Golden Bear at Berlinale, and «Summer 1993», the Goya for Best Directorial Debut and the Gaudí for Best Catalan Language Film, the filmmaker continues to explore family relationships in «Romería» this time, delving into the origins of her paternal biological family.

In the film, the young Marina, adopted at a young age, travels to Vigo to meet her biological father’s family for the first time, bringing with her a buried past. For Simón, this film carries «some of the tone» of her other two films, «Alcarràs» and «Summer». «After all, we are the same person throughout our lives.» She reflected.

She emphasized that it «has something at the level of the narrative structure» that has been «a great challenge» for her and is «very different» compared to her other two films. –And this «Alcarràs» and «Summer» are more realistic, because it’s part of the film, but in another» she added.

«Romería» will compete, among others, against Oliver Laxe’s «Sirat». For Simón, this is «very good» news for Spanish cinema. –I am very happy to share this with Oliver and I feel that they are not isolated cases, but lately in our cinema journeys» she noted.

When asked by journalists, the filmmaker emphasized that she does not feel «representative» of a new way of making a film, but «is part of something», of a new generation.

«Among us, I talk with women because we are many women, although some men, but we talk all the time and share the processes and we have our daily chat groups. There is a feeling that something is happening and that we are inspired by each other due to the conversations we have. So, I feel more that I am part of this, not representing this, not stressing out that «it’s beautiful» when I am. I am very lucky to live this moment in Spanish cinema»

Close to her header maker, María Zamora recalled how they had a «sign» during a meal about the inclusion of «Peregrinaje» at Cannes. Simon’s son was in another room listening to «carnival animal», the classical music that includes a song used in awards. –And he looked at me in a way, went crazy, what is he saying? And I, what’s the music! For me, it was like a sign a few hours before we called each other later» Zamora explained.

Regarding the release date of September 5th and being asked if it was to anticipate the San Sebastián Festival, the maker specialized in that it is a decision made before the news of the Cannes competition, trying to avoid the «famous bottleneck» of Spanish cinema in the fall and also considering the filmmaker.