The Harvester Premiered at San Sebastián Film Festival
Directed by David Pérez Sañudo, the film explores the life of 19th-century murderer Juan Díaz de Garayo.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Documentary
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The Harvester, a Spain-Belgium co-production directed by David Pérez Sañudo, held its world premiere at the San Sebastián Film Festival. The film reimagines the history of Juan Díaz de Garayo, a 19th-century murderer known as Sacamantecas.
Why it matters
The filmmakers sought to reframe the killer's mythology by focusing on the women and society impacted by his actions. Director David Pérez Sañudo purposefully avoided turning the portrayal of violence into a visual spectacle.
The production operated with a budget of €10 million ($11.7 million) and involved filming at more than 35 locations. The project utilized a workforce of over 3,000 extras and specialists during its 11-week filming schedule.
The players
David Pérez Sañudo
He is the director of the film who aimed to shift the narrative focus away from the murderer's notoriety.
Antonio de la Torre
He is a prominent actor who portrays the historical figure Juan Díaz de Garayo in the feature film.
Patricia López Arnaiz
She is an actress who plays the character Ángela within the production.
The details
The filmmakers utilized historical accounts of poverty, civil war, and political upheaval to ground the narrative in the 19th century. Violent scenes were captured using static, wide shots filmed across a river to maintain distance from the subjects.
Timeline
The Harvester is set during the 19th century.
The film premiered at the San Sebastián Film Festival in September 2026.
Industry Dynamics
The film reinterprets the life of the historical Sacamantecas figure to offer a modern critique of how society consumes true-crime narratives. This approach follows a broader industry trend of deconstructing established criminal myths to highlight the perspective of victims and overlooked communities.
Buena Vista International will manage the theatrical release of the film in Spain. Audiences can expect to see the film in cinemas following its festival debut, though specific nationwide release dates are currently pending.
The takeaway
The production highlights the importance of historical research in crafting narrative features that challenge public perception. By prioritizing the societal context over sensational violence, the film offers a new lens through which to view historical crime.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Variety.
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