Black is Beltza

Basque Country, 1967: Otis Redding is dead, a car is being chased by the police. Flashback to the USA, 1965: the young Basque man Manex is not allowed to participate in the parade in New York with his giant black figures. Afflicted by racism, discrimination and injustice, Manex soon meets people who share a similar fate. The Basque resistance finds sympathisers all over the world; a global revolution is imminent. Manex becomes more and more involved in underground political actions. Hunted by American, Spanish and Israeli agents, he flees half-way around the world, aided by an elaborate political network.
The unusual, rather quirky espionage thriller journeys from the Basque Country to the USA and Algeria via Cuba, while Manex witnesses historical events and meets important personages. Based on a graphic novel published in 2014 about real events, the fast-paced film catapults the audience into an action-packed chase. Malcolm X, the KKK, Ché Guevara and psychedelic hippie festivals testify to a young and troubled generation. With numerous flashbacks and insertions, the feverish game of hide-and-seek is interwoven with the hidden global networks. Basque director Fermin Muguruza is a famous musician, which is reflected in the film’s catchy soundtrack. Muguruza’s pronounced interest in political issues as well as films influenced by music was already apparent in his first feature film, the documentary “Checkpoint Rock: Canciones desde Palestina” (2009). “Black is Beltza” was screened on the closing night of the renowned San Sebastián International Film Festival in 2018 and in competition at the Stuttgart International Festival of Animated Film.