The film 'Aullar', the directorial debut from Sergio Siruela, has been presented in the Official Out of Competition Section at the 28th Festival de Málaga; a story about redemption, the struggle for dreams and family reconciliation.

Ezekiel Montes and Eduardo Campoy lead the production of 'Aullar', a social thriller that tells the story of a woman fighting for her dreams, and also offers an in-depth portrait of alcoholism and its impact on family relationships.

Starring Elena Martínez, Antonio Dechent and Paco Tous, the film also features Adelfa Calvo, Antonio Jesús Serrano and Sandra Torrecillas, among others.
Mamen, played by Elena Martínez, dreamed of becoming a professional dancer, but her aspiration was frustrated in her adolescence. Now, she struggles to get by working as a dancer in a club on an industrial estate to support her son, while subsisting in a neighbourhood on the outskirts of Malaga. Her routine takes an unexpected turn with the reappearance of her estranged father, who has been absent for years. Despite the wounds of the past, the two embark on a difficult path towards reconciliation, confronting the feelings of resentment and abandonment that have driven them apart.

In the colloquium following the official screening of the film, director Sergio Siruela stressed that 'Aullar' is about family reconciliation, the acceptance of illness and the possibility of redemption. "The protagonist's first step is to accept that her father is ill. From there, a process of rapprochement begins after years of estrangement”, Siruela said.

Ezekiel Montes, the film’s producer, screenwriter and director of photography, underlined his interest in tackling social issues with a realistic approach: "I have always been interested in showing that everyone is at the mercy of their circumstances. Mamen's story reflects the difficulties that many people have in achieving what they would have liked".

He also said that he feels equally comfortable directing, screenwriting and directing the photography, and acknowledges that he is fully involved in each facet: "I don't know how to create any other way.

Eduardo Campoy, co-producer of the film, said in a relaxed tone that he agreed to join the film "because Ezekiel is very insistent", but also because he had full confidence in the talent of the team he was working with.

As for the acting challenges, Elena Martínez, the film's leading actor, has described her character as a woman with many layers: "It's a story I wanted to tell. Mamen is a fighter who, despite her circumstances, never stops dreaming. Thanks to the rehearsals and working together with the rest of the cast, we managed to give the right tone to the character".

For his part, Antonio Dechent, who plays Mamen's father, confessed that his role was an emotionally demanding challenge: "My character is marked by shame and guilt. He feels broken, but the reunion with his grandson rekindles his desire to reconnect with his family".

With this film, the filmmaker Sergio Siruela takes a step forward in his film career, with a story that focuses on the social reality of many families.