Urko Olazabal on Filming His First “Basque Western

Navigating Festival Premieres and Critical Reception

According to Urko Olazabal, facing a festival premiere in the Zinemira section brings a distinct kind of pressure driven by immediate industry evaluation. Unlike standard theatrical rollouts where reviews trickle out over weeks, festival screenings expose a film to critics and specialized media all at once. “You always have that uncertainty of seeing what those people will think, who are the ones who then steer public opinion a bit so that people go to the cinema,” Olazabal stated regarding the upcoming opening.

Olazabal noted that once the opening night spotlight shifts to the official selection, the film must rely on the strength of its narrative and visual style. The production utilizes sweeping wide lenses and CinemaScope framing reminiscent of 1960s and 1970s Hollywood cinema, captured entirely in Basque for theatrical viewing.

Adapting Ramiro Pinilla’s Universal Survival Story

According to the film’s production background, the story centers on Sabas Jauregui—played by Urko Olazabal—and his wife Josefa—played by Itziar Ituño—as they lead their children down the cliffs of Algorta to scavenge coal from a stranded British vessel. Olazabal explained that the core motivation is the fundamental human need for warmth during a harsh winter.

“Sabas Jauregui and his wife, Josefa, have a bunch of children and each child wants something also,” Olazabal said. Describing his character’s resilience, Olazabal noted that Sabas displays a superhuman capacity to stay awake, strategize against carabineros, and protect the scavenged fuel to keep his family alive.

The Physical Demands of Recreating a 1930s Storm

According to the cast, filming the maritime disaster required grueling physical endurance despite the use of controlled sets. Rather than hanging off actual coastal cliffs, production built a massive 2,000-square-meter outdoor set in Punta Zorroza to replicate the terrain.

However, the water element remained entirely real. “We had to get soaked from eight in the morning to seven in the evening,” Olazabal stated, adding that even young cast members like 13-year-old Unax Hayden endured nearly 20 days of continuous simulated tempests in the February cold.

Crafting an Euskal Western

According to the filmmakers, Inurri itsuak borrows key visual and narrative tropes from the traditional western genre. Olazabal pointed to Sabas’s hat—brought back from America by his father—alongside wide prairie vistas and constant tension regarding approaching authorities and rival villagers.

“We’ve made a Basque western, an euskal western,” Olazabal said, emphasizing how the title directly references worker ants moving step-by-step across a monumental landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Inurri itsuak about?

According to the film’s synopsis, it follows an Algorta family in 1930s Bizkaia who risk everything to scavenge coal from a wrecked English ship during a violent winter storm.

Who stars in the film?

The film stars Goya-winner Urko Olazabal as Sabas Jauregui and Itziar Ituño as Josefa, alongside young actor Unax Hayden.

Which festival section is hosting the premiere?

The film opens the Zinemira section dedicated to Basque cinema at the San Sebastián International Film Festival.