In celebration of the hundredth anniversary of Néstor Basterretxea's birth (Bermeo, 1924 – Hondarribia, 2014), Tabakalera, the Basque Film Archive, and the San Sebastian International Film Festivalg have organised a special cycle of screenings in October to present the work of one of the Basque Country’s most influential and multi-faceted 20th century artists. As part of a collective celebration coordinated by the Basque Government together with more than 20 cultural entities, this tribute highlights Basterretxea’s legacy and importance to Basque culture and contemporary art.

These screenings will not only commemorate Basterretxea as a filmmaker, but also as a multi-disciplinary artist that burst into painting, sculpture, design, and illustration with great mastery, in addition to being an active defender of Basque culture. The hundredth anniversary celebration will continue until the end of the year with an extensive programme of activities across multiple disciplines, highlighting the influence and relevance of his legacy in contemporary society and art.

Screenings in Tabakalera's cinema

The programme, which is part of the year-round Festival area (Z365), will begin on 4 October with a screening of a documentary entitled "Señales de vida: Néstor Basterretxea", directed by Gentzane Martínez de Osaba, and Alexander García de Vicuña. This 77-minute feature film explores the life and work of the artist at 89 years of age, during a key moment when he was faced with his last retrospective at the Bilbao Fine Arts Museum. This documentary reflects the contradictions that emerge when the artist re-evaluates his career and relationship with art, offering an intimate look into the impact of his work on Basque culture.

On 5 October, Tabakalera will organise a session where several of Basterretxea's own short films will be screened as an essential showing of his cinematographic work. The short films will be preceded by a presentation from Andoni Imaz and Matías Fajn, two Elias Querejeta Zine Eskola (EQZE) students that have researched the artist's archive. 

List of short films

• ‘Alquézar. Retablo de Pasión’ (1966) – 12 minutes, co-directed by Fernando Larruquert. A documentary that explores the architectural and artistic richness of Alquézar, a small town in the province of Huesca that is transformed into a "tableau of passion" by the hands of filmmakers.

• ‘Pelotari’ (1964) – 12 minutes, also co-directed by Fernando Larruquert. This short film is an homage to Basque pelota that explores both its physical dimension as well as its symbolic significance to Basque culture. In 1965, it was awarded Best Documentary and Best Sports Documentary, in addition to receiving the Silver Medal at the Bilbao International Festival in 1964 and being selected for various international festivals.

• ‘Operación H’ (1963) – 12 minutes. An experimental work of fiction in which Basterretxea demonstrates his creativity and ability to play with the visual narrative in a context of mystery and intrigue.

• ‘Sin título’ – 5 minutes. A brief, enigmatic short film that demonstrates Basterretxea’s ability to transmit emotions through abstract and suggestive images.

The two sessions will begin at 19:00 in Tabakalera’s cinema, and tickets are already available at the centre’s Information Desk and on the website.