Los Javis' La bola negra Opens in UK Cinemas
Attitude has released an exclusive clip from the Spanish film, which follows three men across different periods of Spanish history.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in LGBTQ+
Attitude released an exclusive clip from La bola negra, a film directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi and co-written with playwright Alberto Conejero. The film opens in UK cinemas on 6 November 2026.
Why it matters
The film, which won Best Director at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival for Los Javis, reaches British audiences with an LGBTQ+ storyline spanning the 1930s to the present day. Its release marks the film's expansion beyond its Spanish and festival audience.
The three storylines are set in 1932, 1937 and 2017, and the film takes its title from an unfinished work by García Lorca. Los Javis received the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival for the film.
The players
Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi (Los Javis)
The Spanish filmmaking duo directed La bola negra and co-wrote it with Alberto Conejero, and received the Best Director award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.
Penélope Cruz
The Spanish actress is in the cast of La bola negra, a film that spans three periods of Spanish history.
Glenn Close
The American actress is in the cast of La bola negra, the Spanish film directed by Los Javis.
The details
La bola negra follows Carlos, Sebastián and Alberto across three periods of Spanish history. Sebastián's storyline centres on his relationship with Rafael, a Republican soldier played by Miguel Bernardeau.
Timeline
1932: Carlos's storyline is set in 1930s Spain.
1937: Sebastián's storyline is set during the Spanish Civil War.
2026: La bola negra wins Best Director at Cannes.
3 November 2026: Attitude releases the exclusive clip.
6 November 2026: La bola negra opens in UK cinemas.
Culture Shift
La bola negra places a gay love story against the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War, a period in which Republican and queer identities were persecuted under Franco's regime. The film extends that historical lens across 1932, 1937 and 2017, linking three eras of Spanish LGBTQ+ experience.
Readers in the UK can see La bola negra in cinemas from 6 November 2026. The film's release in theatres provides a direct way to watch the story across its three timelines.
The takeaway
Films that trace queer lives across several historical periods offer a way to see how persecution and survival have shaped LGBTQ+ experience over time. La bola negra invites viewers to consider those connections across Spain's past and present.
Further reading
Explore more LGBTQ+ stories and cultural coverage on Wisevoter.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Attitude.
