At the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Spanish filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi brought renewed energy to the competition with their film "La Bola Negra," a sweeping narrative chronicling the lives of three gay men across different eras in Spain. The film, which premiered late in the festival, was met with a 20-minute standing ovation, marking one of the longest ovations in the event’s recent history.

Set against the backdrop of significant historical moments, "La Bola Negra" begins in 1937 during the Spanish Civil War, following Sebastián, a small-town trumpeter conscripted by Fascist forces, and his forbidden love for Rafael, a captured resistance fighter. The narrative also explores the 1932 experiences of Carlos, a closeted man grappling with societal expectations, and in 2017, the story follows Alberto, a writer who uncovers a family legacy tied to the earlier characters. The directors blend period drama with contemporary elements, including a moment signaled by a Grindr notification, highlighting the film’s modern sensibility.

Calvo and Ambrossi created the film in Spain with a budget below $15 million, a figure significantly lower than what a similar Hollywood production might require for its elaborate wartime sequences and period details. The directors noted that the scale and subject matter of their work are not typical for major American studios.

Following its Cannes success, Netflix secured U.S. distribution rights after a competitive bidding process. The streaming service plans to release "La Bola Negra" in cinemas on October 16, with a 46-day exclusive theatrical window—its longest to date—before the film becomes available on the platform. Industry observers anticipate the film could emerge as a contender in the upcoming awards season, potentially challenging Christopher Nolan's "The Odyssey."

Calvo and Ambrossi, collectively referred to as "Los Javis" in Spain, have risen to prominence as some of the country’s most influential queer voices since Pedro Almodóvar, who acted as an associate producer on the film. They are known for their television work, including the acclaimed series "Veneno," and have gained international exposure as judges on Spain’s version of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” Their partnership extends beyond their creative endeavors, being in a long-term relationship themselves.

The cast of "La Bola Negra" features emerging Spanish actors alongside well-known talents such as Penélope Cruz, who portrays a cabaret singer, and American actress Glenn Close, who makes a cameo appearance. Cruz expressed strong support for the project, calling it a timely and important film. Close, who has collaborated with the directors on other projects and is slated to work with them on a film adaptation of "Sunset Boulevard," praised Calvo and Ambrossi for their energy and enthusiasm.

The film was inspired by an unfinished story by Federico Garcia Lorca and drew from a play, “La Piedra Oscura,” which deeply moved Calvo due to its exploration of hidden queer histories during difficult times. Both directors said the film reflects a desire to illuminate the concealed experiences of past generations, particularly gay ancestors, through a large-scale cinematic approach that has been rare in Spanish cinema.

Despite the film’s ambitious scope, Calvo and Ambrossi acknowledged moments during production when they considered that "La Bola Negra" might be their last collaborative film. However, the project represents a culmination of their mutual admiration and creative synergy, cementing their status as significant contemporary auteurs in Spanish and international cinema.