‘La Bola Negra’ Was Personal for Breakout Star Guitarricadelafuente. He’s Still Unpacking Why

Spanish musician Guitarricadelafuente has made a striking acting debut as Sebastián in La Bola Negra, a drama about gay identity and Spain’s history. The role draws on parallels with his own life and family past, and he says he is still discovering why the story has affected him so deeply.

Directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi, the film spans nearly a century and centres on Sebastián, whose relationship with a Republican prisoner awakens his repressed sexuality during the Spanish Civil War. It premiered at Cannes, where the directors won the best-director prize, and later received the Toronto International Film Festival’s Audience Award. Netflix acquired North American rights; the film is expanding in cinemas ahead of streaming on 2 December.