1935. Idealistic Catalonian educator Antoni Benaiges (a stellar Enric Auquer, Too Many Chefs) is appointed as the new schoolmaster of a small, isolated village in the province of Burgos. With an innovative approach, he soon wins over his reluctant pupils, a group between the ages of six and twelve who are used to being taught by the strict local priest. Inspiring his young charges to hope and to broaden their horizons, Antoni even promises to show them the ocean for the first time…
Meanwhile, 75 years later, Ariadna (Laia Costa, Lullaby, Victoria) is attempting to uncover what happened to her great grandfather – a man who disappeared during the war – leading her to discover the emotional story behind Antoni’s promise.
A major sleeper hit at the Spanish box office, Font’s film is an eloquent and deeply moving tale of the power of education and the importance of never letting the lessons of history be forgotten.
The event is sponsored by the Instituto Cervantes Manchester and Durham University Global Week.
