Archive · 2 Sep 2026
La Bola Negra Trailer Reveals Cannes-Winning Queer Epic
La Bola Negra is a Spanish-language movie made by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, who are also called Los Javis.
It tells three connected stories about gay men living in different years.
The stories happen in 1932, 1937 and 2017.
The movie explores LGBT history and is inspired by work connected to Federico García Lorca.
Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close are two of its actors.
The movie premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.
People at Cannes applauded it for 20 minutes, and its directors won an award.
Netflix will show it in theaters in the United States on October 16 and online from December 2.
Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi’s La Bola Negra follows three interconnected stories set in 1932, 1937 and 2017.
The Spanish-language film explores LGBT heritage and draws on Federico García Lorca’s unfinished work and Alberto Conejero’s play La Piedra Oscura.
The cast includes Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close, Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes and Lola Dueñas.
The film received a 20-minute Cannes ovation, while Calvo and Ambrossi won the festival’s Best Director Award.
Netflix will release the film theatrically in the United States on October 16, with streaming beginning December 2.
- Who
- Directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi made the film, which stars Penélope Cruz, Glenn Close and other Spanish performers.
- What
- La Bola Negra is a Spanish-language film about three interconnected stories involving gay men, LGBT heritage and Federico García Lorca.
- When
- The stories take place in 1932, 1937 and 2017; the film opens theatrically in Spain on September 25 and in the United States on October 16, followed by streaming on December 2.
- Where
- The film premiered in Competition at the Cannes Film Festival and will receive theatrical releases in Spain and the United States.
- Why
- It explores LGBT heritage and is inspired by Federico García Lorca’s unfinished work and Alberto Conejero’s play La Piedra Oscura.
- Directors
- Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, collectively known as Los Javis
- Setting
- Three eras: 1932, 1937 and 2017
- Cast
- Guitarricadelafuente, Miguel Bernardeau, Carlos González, Milo Quifes, Penélope Cruz, Lola Dueñas, Glenn Close, Julio Torres and Alberto Cortés
- Cannes recognition
- A 20-minute ovation and the Best Director Award for Calvo and Ambrossi
- Spanish release
- Theatrical release scheduled for September 25
- U.S. release
- Theatrical release on October 16; streaming debut on December 2
- U.S. rights
- Netflix acquired the rights in a record-breaking seven-figure domestic deal
