Malaga Contender ‘Jone, batzuetan’ Vies for Top Prize

Sara Fantova’s debut feature film, “Jone, Sometimes,” premiered at the Malaga Film Festival on March 15th, competing for the top prize in the official competition. The film, co-written by Fantova, Nuria Martín, and Núria Dunjó, is a coming-of-age story set in Bilbao, in the Basque Country, drawing inspiration from the personal experiences of all three writers.

While the film is not based on real events or a specific episode from Fantova’s life, it was inspired by the diaries her father gave her, detailing his youth. The narrative follows 20-year-old Jone as she navigates her first love amidst her father’s Parkinson’s disease. Set against the backdrop of Bilbao’s Semana Grande, Jone grapples with the juxtaposition of invincibility in her new relationship with Olga and the challenges of her father’s illness, ultimately leading to a transformative summer of growth and self-discovery.

Fantova aimed to explore the theme of balancing light and darkness, depicting the contrast between festivities and home, and the acceptance of pain and illness as part of life. The casting process was a significant challenge for Fantova, as she sought to find the perfect actress to portray Jone. Ultimately, Olaia Aguayo, a friend of the casting director, emerged as the ideal choice for the role.

Hailing from the Basque Country, Fantova is a graduate of Barcelona’s Escac film school, known for her work on the Catalan TV series “This Is Not Sweden.” The film is produced by Amania Films and Escac Estudios, with support from various development programs and mentoring initiatives.

Securing financing for the film proved to be a daunting task for Fantova, who had to balance creative freedom with meeting funding deadlines. Despite the challenges, she found the process of making the film to be incredibly rewarding, as she was able to collaborate with friends at every stage of production.

In conclusion, “Jone, Sometimes” is a poignant exploration of adolescence, love, and the complexities of family dynamics, told through the lens of a young woman’s journey to self-discovery. Fantova’s unique storytelling and personal inspiration shine through in this heartfelt coming-of-age tale.