Director David Serrano has presented his new feature film, Lapönia, a big-screen adaptation of the successful play of the same name, transformed into a sharp and ironic comedy that explores family conflicts, cultural differences, and the contradictions of modern education. It is competing in the Official Competition of the Festival de Málaga
 
At a press conference alongside the lead actors Natalia Verbeke, Julián López, Ángela Cervantes, and Vebjørn Enger, the filmmaker explained that what attracted him to the project was the story's ability to transform an everyday theme into a situation charged with humour, tension, and reflection. The film begins with a seemingly simple question—whether it's right to lie to children about Santa Claus—and from this reflection, it unleashes a conflict that reveals the contradictions of adults and their different ways of understanding family and parenting.
 
The story follows two sisters who get together with their partners to spend the Christmas holidays in Lapland, at one of their homes. However, what begins as a seemingly peaceful family gathering transforms into an intense debate about raising children, the limits of honesty, and how adults manage the lies that shape childhood.
 
Serrano emphasised that one of the biggest challenges of this dramatic adaptation was translating the intensity and rhythm of the stage play into cinematic language without losing the naturalness of the characters' relationships. "The film's humour arises precisely from this clash between different worldviews, as seen through the disparate perspectives of its characters", she pointed out.
 
For her part, actress Natalia Verbeke stated that the project's appeal lies in the way the story uses humour to address issues that are very relatable to the audience. Throughout the film, the characters argue about a seemingly trivial topic, but in reality, they are discussing lifestyles, values, and the insecurities that arise when it comes to raising children.
 
Her co-star, Julián López, who plays her partner, highlighted the ensemble nature of the story and the interesting way in which the script builds the conflict through the clashes between its characters. The actor agrees with the director that the richness of the plot lies especially in the very different perspectives on reality. López believes that the film's tone oscillates between comedy and emotional discomfort, a balance that provokes laughter from the viewer but also encourages them to recognise themselves in many of the situations.
 
Regarding the background of the script—written by Cristina Clemente and Marc Angelet—actress Ángela Cervantes pointed out that the project offers a very contemporary look at family and the decisions adults make regarding children. In her opinion, the film invites the viewer to reflect on the extent to which parents project their own ideas and frustrations onto their children's upbringing.
 
With intelligent humour and a script that transforms a family argument into a universal reflection, Lapönia offers a contemporary comedy about truth, necessary lies, and the complex balances that sustain family life. It will be released in Spanish cinemas on 1 April. 
 
Nuria, who lives in Lapland with her husband and daughter, decides to invite her sister Mónica, her husband, and their son to celebrate a dream Christmas at her home. The plan seems perfect until the little girl tells her cousin that the man with the white beard who supposedly leaves presents for children doesn't exist. The night ends up turning into a full-blown battle that brings to light unspeakable secrets and sparks a debate about what's more appropriate: telling the truth at all costs or maintaining the illusion, even if it's based on lies.