Everything we know about 'La Bola Negra,' the time-bending gay historical drama

This story originally appeared on Out.La Bola Negra may have started its life as a small Spanish-language film, but the epic gay saga has proven to be a critical darling and smash success before it even hits theaters.Directors Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi's breakout hit took Cannes by storm, winning Best Director, sparking a 20-minute standing ovation, and setting off a bidding war for the distribution rights. Calvo and Ambrossi, known in the industry as Los Jarvis, were a Spanish gay power couple before ending their romantic relationship in November 2025 after 13 years together. Luckily for fans who got to know them as judges on Drag Race España, the two have managed to keep their close working relationship intact.The devastatingly beautiful film was not only created by gay directors and stars out gay actor Julio Torres, but also tells the story of three different gay men across different time periods. LGBTQ+ films are still few and far between, but this queer story is set to be not only beloved by audiences, but also a contender during award season. Who is starring in ‘La Bola Negra’?Problemista and Los Espookys star Julio Torres is playing Juan Pablo and famed Spanish singer-songwriter Guitarricadelafuente is starring as Sebastián, alongside Miguel Bernardeau (Elite), Carlos González, Milo Quifes, and Lola Dueñas.Hollywood A-listers Penélope Cruz (Vicky Cristina Barcelona, The Invite) and Glen Close (Fatal Attraction, Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery) will round out the cast.What is ‘La Bola Negra’ about?La Bola Negra takes its name from murdered Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca’s unfinished play. It spans three different pivotal eras in Spanish history, 1932, 1937, and 2017, and follows the interconnected stories of three different gay men. This time-bending queer story is inspired by Lorca and Alberto Conejero’s unfinished play La Piedra Oscura (The Dark Stone) and was co-written by directors Los Javis. “Carlos (Qu