Penélope Cruz discussed the LGBTQ+ themes of the film "The Black Ball" during the May 2026 Cannes Film Festival in France.

The film marks a significant contribution to Spanish queer cinema by examining the historical struggle and identity of gay men across different eras. Its reception at the festival suggests a strong critical interest in narratives that bridge historical repression with modern identity.

Cruz spoke with Los Javis — directors Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo — about the project on the Croisette. The film is a competition entry that interweaves stories set in 1932, 1937, and 2017 [1]. By connecting these specific time periods, the narrative spans 85 years of Spanish history [2].

During the festival, the film received a 16-minute standing ovation [3]. This reception underscores the emotional impact of the story's exploration of LGBTQ+ issues within the context of Spain's complex political past.

Cruz linked the project to her previous cinematic collaborations. "The Black Ball" follows in the tradition of my seven films with Pedro Almodóvar, Cruz said.

The film's structure allows it to contrast the clandestine lives of men in the early 20th century with the contemporary experience. By focusing on these disparate timelines, the directors aim to highlight the enduring nature of queer identity despite shifting social norms.

“"The Black Ball" follows in the tradition of my seven films with Pedro Almodóvar.”

The project positions itself as a successor to the queer cinematic legacy established by Pedro Almodóvar, moving the conversation from individual character studies to a broader historical epic. By linking 1932, 1937, and 2017, the film contextualizes the LGBTQ+ experience not as a modern phenomenon, but as a persistent thread throughout Spain's most turbulent century.