Sorogoyen Experiments with Film Styles in 'The Beloved'

Rodrigo Sorogoyen's latest film, "The Beloved," makes its world premiere in Cannes competition on May 16, 2026. The movie begins with a lengthy restaurant scene featuring Javier Bardem as acclaimed director Esteban Martínez and Victoria Luengo as his estranged daughter, Emilia. Sorogoyen deliberately shot this initial encounter without prior rehearsal to achieve raw authenticity.

The narrative then shifts to the arid landscapes of Fuerteventura in the Canary Islands, standing in for 1932 Western Sahara. As the on-screen conflict between Esteban and Emilia escalates, Sorogoyen employs a striking array of cinematic styles. He fluidly incorporates digital, 35mm, and 16mm film, varied aspect ratios, and transitions between color and black and white. This stylistic kaleidoscope mirrors the escalating tensions and characters' internal states.

Sorogoyen describes "The Beloved" as an experiment in filmmaking, emphasizing the collaborative spirit with lead actor Javier Bardem. The film's core theme revolves around storytelling itself – how individuals and society construct narratives to understand themselves and their relationships. The visual experimentation is a direct response to this central idea, as Sorogoyen aimed to represent storytelling through diverse cinematic approaches.

While the film addresses themes of father-daughter relationships and past trauma, Sorogoyen clarifies that it is not solely about toxic patriarchy. Instead, he and his writing partner, Isabel Peña, discovered the film's meaning during the creative process. "The Beloved" is ultimately about the search for a common story and the healing of past hurts.