Director Patricia Ortega presented her new film ‘9 Lunas’ this Saturday at the 29th Festival de Málaga in a screening within the Official Out of Competition section. Following the screening, the audience attended a discussion with the filmmaker and members of the artistic team, who shared insights into a story that blends comedy, emotion, and reflection on identity.

In addition to the director, actors Zack Gomez-Rolls, María León, Jorge Sanz, and Avelino Piedad were present at the discussion, as well as producer and co-writer Olmo Figueredo.

The film is a feel-good comedy-drama that follows the story of Ángel, a young personal trainer whose seemingly perfect life takes an unexpected turn when he discovers he's pregnant, a situation that forces him to question his identity, his expectations, and his relationships with others.

Regarding this work, which uses humour and emotion to explore identity, acceptance, and personal freedom, Patricia Ortega emphasised the importance of connecting with the character on a deep level, valuing the body as the unique and personal territory that each person possesses: "We must recognise that nature is infinite and we must learn that it offers multiple possibilities".

Furthermore, recalling the limitations that exist in her native Venezuela, the director expressed her appreciation and gratitude that, despite the challenges, the opportunity to tell these stories in Spain, and within a framework like the Festival de Málaga, which "defends the right to dialogue," is invaluable.

Meanwhile, the actors agreed on the film's balance between humour and sensitivity, as well as the opportunity to participate in a story that invites viewers to rethink concepts such as identity, masculinity, and motherhood.

"It made me happy to embody a family that doesn't judge", stated Jorge Sanz, who, laughing, recounted his rewarding first experience playing a grandfather: "I never want to stop learning, and life is a continuous learning process".
 
At the same time, all the actors took the opportunity to praise the performance of lead actor Zack Gómez-Rolls, who confessed to having done "a very revealing and enriching job", especially because of the themes and the way they were handled: "I found it interesting that these references were created in the collective imagination without depicting drama and pain".
 
Additionally, Olmo Figueredo, the co-writer of this Spanish-Belgian production, emphasised that rather than being a film for people within the LGBTQ+ community, it is aimed at those who are not part of it, especially to help families experiencing these situations understand them.