Rubén Sánchez is premiering ‘La Verbena’, a medium-length film produced by Carla Fernández. The story stars Gabriel D’Almeida (Xavier Dolan’s Matthias & Maxime) and Robin Reese, and also stars Aida Quintana, Meri Anglès, Paula Lucas, Marga Leão, Joma and Serigne Sylla. Filming took place in Barcelona.
The production is an aesthetic, narrative and conceptual challenge that focuses on the reunion of Alex and Marc, marked by two events that have an impact on both characters. On the one hand, Gabriel D’Almeida plays Alex, a young man about to become a father who struggles with the acceptance of his homosexuality. On the other, Robin Reese plays Marc, his best friend, who brings with him a piece of news that they both have to come to terms with. Throughout the film, the characters evolve, revealing their secrets to self-acceptance.
Carla Fernández is producing her first film with Rubén Sánchez, who recently released ‘Furias’ on Prime Video and Filmin. Both wanted to tell this LGTBI-themed story to reflect the difficulty of coming to terms with one’s sexual identity.
According to Rubén Sánchez: ‘I believe that cinema can change the way we look at many things, and Gabriel and Robin have taken on a very complicated role, giving an exceptional performance. Like the other actors in this film, Gabriel and Robin are wonderful and I’m convinced that their careers will be brilliant. I based the acting on a relationship of trust between the director and the actors to build.
On a hot summer’s night in Barcelona, Alex (Gabriel D’Almeida) and his girlfriend Anna (Aida Quintana) get together with their friends to enjoy a lively party. The unexpected arrival of Marc (Robin Reese), an old friend of Alex’s from London, brings with it revelations that challenge their relationship and explode their secrets. As the party progresses, the characters are forced to confront their own fears and desires in a festive atmosphere. Vervain becomes a catalyst for introspection and self-discovery, testing the bonds of friendship and love. It’s a heartfelt and moving exploration of personal relationships and the complexity of human bonds over the course of an unforgettable evening.