Directors Vicky Calavia and Isabel Soria present a documentary about Zaragoza and cinema
Directors Vicky Calavia and Isabel Soria presented the documentary «Zaragoza, Pioneer of Cinema» this afternoon at the Filmoteca de Zaragoza. The event was attended by Pedro Olloqui, General Director of Culture of the Government of Aragón, who emphasized the region’s importance in the development of the seventh art. The project was carried out in collaboration with the regional government, the City Council of Zaragoza, and Aragón TV.
The work reviews the history of Zaragoza as a pioneering city of cinema in Spain. The directors highlighted that the documentary explains the significance of Aragonese culture in the origins of Spanish cinema, delving into a more complex reality that goes beyond the most well-known event in the city in this field. The material examines what Zaragoza was like in the late 19th century, a city focused on the future and progress, with a long-standing tradition related to entrepreneurship, art, and visual culture.
On November 5, 2024, it will mark 125 years since the filming of «Salida de misa de 12 de El Pilar de Zaragoza» (Eduardo Jimeno, 1899), the first preserved film in Spain. The documentary narrates how Zaragoza, already linked to photography and visual shows, became fascinated by cinema. This initial attraction laid the foundation for the subsequent development of the city as a hub for directors, theater owners, journalists, film critics, and cinephiles. The work also underscores the importance of archives and film libraries in preserving this history.
