“Benigno speaks of something we all seek: to feel supported and connected to others”
– The Spanish director discusses the origins of the project, its production and the themes running through the film
With Benigno, which premiered this past weekend at the Shanghai International Film Festival, Spanish filmmaker David Baute (whose previous work, the animated film Black Butterflies, screened in the Contrechamp section at Annecy and won the Goya in its category) continues to explore deeply human stories. This time, he focuses on a character whose life journey and worldview become a reflection on memory, identity and the human condition.
Cineuropa: How did you discover Benigno’s story, and what made you decide it should be made into a film?
David Baute: Benigno was born in the El Volcán neighbourhood of Garachico (Tenerife), where I was also born. As children, we would go into his courtyard to drink water from his well while he told us about the Trevejo volcano, whose 1706 eruption transformed the village. I remember that neighbourhood as a close-knit community, where the houses felt like parts of a single home. Benigno was always a unique figure: a man without a partner, deeply spiritual and unconcerned with conventions. I had admired him since childhood. Decades later, I remained curious about his way of life and the everyday world he shared with my own family.
The film takes the form of an intimate portrait built on the trust between us. Rather than interfering with his reality, the camera observes and accompanies him. Through small gestures, routines and silences, the viewer is gradually drawn into Benigno’s life. As in my previous works, I’m interested in exploring seemingly small stories that ultimately reveal something deeply human.
Benigno tackles very universal issues through a personal experience. What aspects of its protagonist might resonate with audiences from different countries and cultures?
Although rooted in a very local experience, Benigno deals with universal themes. It’s the story of a sensitive man facing the final stage of his life, trying to resist the passage of time and loneliness. The film finds poetry in everyday life: listening to the sounds of the street, reading, having a coffee and enjoying small daily rituals. These are experiences that anyone can relate to, regardless of their background.
The house plays a central role. It is a space of memory, childhood and recollection. But the neighbourhood also becomes an extension of the home. Encounters with neighbours, shared sounds and community ties create a sense of belonging that transcends borders. In that regard, Benigno speaks of something we all seek: to feel supported and connected to others.
Following on from your previous work, what new creative and cinematic challenges did directing Benigno present, and what do you hope audiences take away from it?
Benigno is a celebration of simplicity and everyday life, and that was precisely one of the main creative challenges: finding cinematic beauty in the small gestures of everyday life. The film was shot on Super 8 mm, a choice that gave it a very special texture and allowed us to create an intimate, close-up perspective on the character. The whole team worked to build an atmosphere that reflected the simplicity, sensitivity and memories running through Benigno’s life.
Beyond its formal aspects, we hope audiences connect with the protagonist’s humanity. Benigno is a kind, thoughtful person who is deeply aware of the value of the little things. His actions remind us that happiness can also be found in the simplest routines. If the film allows viewers to leave the cinema feeling at peace with their own time, their own space and the joy of being alive, then it will have achieved its aim.
(Translated from Spanish)
