In 2017, Lino Escalera conquered the Festival de Málaga with 'No sé decir adiós', winning the Special Jury Prize and multiple Biznagas, including Best Actress for Nathalie Poza and Best Screenplay. Now, the filmmaker returns to the event with 'Hamburgo', his long-awaited second feature film, a thriller that will be in cinemas on 30 May.

Starring Jaime Lorente, Roger Casamajor and Ioana Bugarin, 'Hamburgo' immerses the viewer in the sordid world of trafficking in women on the Costa del Sol. The story follows Germán, a driver who works transporting women forced into prostitution in nightclubs. Trapped in an aimless, debt-ridden life, he sees an opportunity to change his destiny, but his decision will put him in more danger than he ever imagined. In the midst of this suffocating world, Alina, one of the women he transports, dreams of escape.

Alongside Lorente, Casamajor and Bugarin, the cast is completed by Tamara Casellas, Asia Ortega, Mona Martínez, Manolo Caro and Antonio Buil, with performances that reinforce the tension of the story.

Escalera co-wrote the script with Daniel Remón (Goya for Best Adapted Screenplay for 'Intemperie') and Roberto Martín Maiztegui ('La Ruta', 'La Valla'). In the colloquium following the presentation of the film, the director pointed out that 'Hamburgo' is a story about characters who make wrong decisions and end up trapped in a tragic destiny. "It is a story of redemption, but also of desperation," explained Escalera. "When we decided that the script would a genre film, I took it on as a personal tribute, a way of paying homage to its essence. At no time did I see it as an imposition, but as an opportunity to create the thriller I really wanted to tell," said the director.

Shot in Super 16 mm, the film is shot by Juana Jiménez, whose gaze reinforces the sombre character of the story. Its aesthetic, marked by neon lights and deep shadows, enhances the sense of oppression and constant danger. The director of photography pointed out that one of the biggest challenges and achievements of the project was to find the right texture in 16mm: "We sought a visual rawness that, although demanding, enriched the aesthetic proposal". Despite the difficulties of the format, Jiménez approached the experience as a challenge and said she was very satisfied with the result.

The production, with the participation of Zeta Cinema, Icónica Producciones, Tandem Films, Hamburgo la Película AIE, Pecado Films, Lolita Producciones Cinematográficas and Cinelabs, will hit Spanish cinemas next spring.