Euskaraz irakurri: Musikaren eta zinemaren borrokek bat egin dute ‘Black is Beltza 2: Ainhoa’-ren estreinaldiaren jai handian
After four years of production, the second part of Black is Beltza had its grand premiere at the Velodrome San Sebastian, within the framework of the San Sebastian Film Festival. The screening of the film has been dressed as a big date, as in one of those historical events.
And it is that the premiere of Black is Beltza 2: Ainhoa it was a great party before 3000 people. Taking into account the faces you knew from the world of Basque music, cinema and politics, including members of Negu GorriakIt seemed that no one was missing. But the truth is that there have been many people who have been left out, as tickets sold out shortly after going on sale.
Those who could not get one will be able to see the tape in the cinemas of Hego Euskal Herria from September 30. As the film team has recalled, viewers will have to show in commercial theaters if they really support it. “We risk everything on one card, and if people don’t go, we leave the theaters,” they said at the end of the film.
The Velodrome crowd has seen it all like a concert. The respectable has welcomed the animations and music of the big screen between applause, shouts and whistles. There have been no shortage of drinks in the middle of the movie theater. As requested by the director, Fermin Muguruza, the film has been fully “breathed” by the attendees, together from start to finish. But the party has started before the projection, when, in the afternoon, the Broken Brothers Brass Band of Pamplona has heated the exterior of the Velodrome.
Manex’s daughter, from the 2018 film, is the protagonist of this second part. On this occasion, the phenomenon Black is Beltza has advanced several decades, skipping the possibility of representing May 68, and has entered fully in the 80’s. Ainhoa arrives in Euskal Herria in 1988.
As in a rock concert or a grand finale, Muguruza, like an orchestra conductor, has presented actors, screenwriters, musicians and other creators. As he explained, the entire team was present in the first rows of the Velodrome. 160 people total. But not everyone has taken the stage. Among the most applauded have been the actress who has given voice to her protagonist, Mary Cruickshank; the star Itziar Ituno; the Andalusian Anthony of the Towerand the last director of aegin, Xavier Salutregi (who has something to say in the movie). The Velodrome had love for everyone.
Ainhoa, Cuba-Euskal Herria-the world
The film has a powerful beginning. The song “Zu catch your art” has ignited an already enthusiastic audience, with the images of a concert by Kortatu in Martutene prison. The exciting credits have continued with the escape of Joseba Sarrionandia and Inaki Pikabea on San Fermín day in 1985. There are no spoilers, because “Zu catch your art” and “Sarri, Sarri” appear on the already released soundtrack.
From Cuba to Euskal Herria, and from Ainhoa’s father’s native country to the scenes of the most important fights of the 80s. And, like the first part, Black is Beltza 2 is crossed by internationalism and the intention of making felt the conflicts of many places that boiled over in the recent past of the world. In this case, furthermore, Muguruza’s film does not renounce dealing directly with the subject of political use of heroin. However, it leaves room for grays between the black and white of the speeches, reflecting, for example, very different opinions about ETA’s violence.
In Black is Beltza 2: Ainhoa also many things happen. It leaves the feeling that all the characters have been in all the historical moments, but that is not a big problem. The barrage of musical and historical references It has a certain risk of tiredness, but thanks to the good use of emotions it works better than the first part. In the Velodrome the success has been evident. Now it will be the turn of the movie theaters.
It is noteworthy that, within the framework of the Zinemaldia, in a film in Basque (it is the most widely heard language and the titles are also in Basque) only subtitles could be read in Spanish and English. In other words, when listening to languages other than Basque (French, English, Arabic, Pashto, Spanish…), there have been no subtitles in Basque. It is not the first time at the Zinemaldia.
dedicated to brother
Fermín has dedicated the film to his brother who died in 2019. Gorka Otxoa gives voice to Inigo Muguruzagiving him life in his youth of 1988, albeit in drawings.
The eleven members of the Broken Brothers Brass Band have enlivened the beginning and also the end. At the end of the screening, they went back on stage and did a special version of “Nicaragua Sandinista” together with Muguruza. Thus they have accompanied the public at the exit, to the street, extending the party who knows until when.
Lastly, the bertsolari Jon Maia He has recalled the triumph of freedom of expression in 2001, when Negu Gorriak defeated Galindo in court, and has stressed that the thread has not been cut: “Hemen bizitza ospatzen dugu, ez da bakarrik zinema, hemen herri baxuaren pean, oihuz kantatu duena. Ongi etorri mundura, Ainhoa. Eskerrik asko, Belodromoa. Hau duzu, Inigo, omena. Gurea da garaipena“.

Fermin Muguruza comes out on stage. Image from a video by EITB Media
Source: Eitb

Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.