The Catalan director Albert Pintó presented the film 'Tierra de nadie' at the 28th Festival de Málaga on Saturday 15 March. Filmed in Cádiz, the play that premiers the Official Section Out of Competition follows the daily lives of three friends whose lives are irremediably intertwined with the world of drug trafficking. In a context where the line between legality and crime is blurred, the film explores moral contradictions, loyalty and survival in an environment marked by danger and constant tension.

Renowned for his talent for fusing the genre with vibrant storytelling and complex characters, in 'Tierra de nadie' Pintó offers a cinematic proposal that delves into the streets and docks where illicit business is done in an attempt to build a portrait of a reality that many prefer to ignore.

With a script by Fernando Navarro, 'Tierra de Nadie' features three characters with very different backgrounds: Mateo "El Gallego", a civil guard; Juan "El Antxale", a fisherman turned drug dealer, and Benito "El Yeye", a bailiff who walks the fine line between law and crime. Abandoned by the institutions and caught in a spiral of violence, the three friends face a fate that will test their friendship.

Starring Luis Zahera, Karra Elejalde and Jesús Carroza, the film was presented at the Cine Albéniz, venue of the Festival de Málaga’s Official Section, with a large representation of the artistic and creative team.

During the press conference following the official screening, director Albert Pintó expressed his satisfaction with the final result, highlighting the classic three-act narrative structure and the complexity of the characters.

The film’s producer, María Luisa Gutiérrez, explained that the idea was conceived in a conversation that led to this story, pointing out that reality sometimes surpassed fiction during filming. Festival Meanwhile, the screenwriter, Fernando Navarro, highlighted the meticulous research process, which included interviews with people directly linked to the world portrayed, thereby enabling the construction of a faithful and documented story.

Navarro also underlined the importance of the title 'Tierra de nadie', explaining that the main characters embody three different ways of confronting a conflict that typify the south of Spain. "They are neither good nor bad; they are trapped in a no man's land," said the screenwriter. Jesús Carroza also revealed that his character is inspired by a real person he met during the filming of 'El Niño', which adds a layer of authenticity to his performance.

For his part, Karra Elejalde pointed out that the film shows how traditional traffickers fight to maintain their territory in the face of new organisations. "When evil enters, it doesn't matter if you're from the neighbourhood or you’re a newcomer," said the actor.

Pintó underlined that he did not want to make "a thriller in the usual sense", but a drama that uses the genre to reflect how the reality of drug trafficking impacts those who live in these environments. "It's a dramatic thriller, but above all it's a story of friendship,” he explained. To do so, he opted for a first-rate cast, convinced that Luis Zahera, Karra Elejalde and Jesús Carroza would bring the necessary depth to their characters.

The film also posed a physical challenge for the cast, especially in the scenes shot in the marshes of Cádiz. Elejalde humorously confessed that he found these sequences particularly challenging due to his physical condition, although he did have a specialist for the more demanding scenes.

In terms of production, those responsible for the project highlighted the excellent relationship between the different production companies involved. RTV’s José Pastor emphasised the importance of supporting "quality cinema that reflects the real context of the country" and that also contributes to decentralising filming, moving it away from the traditional environments of Madrid and Barcelona.

‘Tierra de Nadie' was produced by Esto También Pasará in co-production with Glow and En Tierra de Nadie AIE, with the participation of Prime Video, RTVE, Canal Sur and Mogambo. It will be released commercially by Sony Pictures on 28 March.