Far From the Trees

Far From the Trees
Promotional poster
SpanishLejos de los árboles
Directed byMeritxell Colell
Screenplay byMeritxell Colell
Produced byMayca Sanz L-Higueras
Starring
  • Angélica Castelló
  • Jose Luis López Cama
  • Teresita Sánchez
  • Caterina Ramirez Guallar
Narrated by
  • Néstor Calvet
  • Rosa Maria Duran i Gili
CinematographyJulián Elizalde
Edited by
  • Ana Pfaff
  • Meritxell Colell
Music byAngélica Castelló
Production
companies
  • Allegra Films
  • Exit Media
  • Animalita
Release date
  • August 13, 2026 (2026-08-13) (Locarno)
Running time
117 minutes
Countries
  • Spain
  • Peru
  • Italy
Languages

Far From the Trees (Spanish: Lejos de los árboles) is a 2026 Spanish drama film written and directed by Meritxell Colell. A co-production among Spain, Peru and Italy, it follows Adela, a Mexican artist, and granddaughter of Republican exiles, who continuing her grandfather's legacy takes a trip to Peru.[1][2]

The film had its world premiere in the main competition of the 79th Locarno Film Festival on 9 August 2026, where it won the FIPRESCI Prize.[3] It will subsequently hold its National premiere at the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2026, screening in the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera for the 'Zabaltegi-Tabakalera award'.

Synopsis

Accompaning Lucho, her guide and translator, Adela, a Mexican sound artist, travels from the jungle to the Peruvian Andes. She follows the path once taken by her grandfather, a Catalan republican who lived in exile in Mexico, and creates a sound map of endangered languages. When she begins to fear death, her sense of reality starts to break apart, and her journey turns into a personal return to her childhood home.

Cast

  • Angélica Castelló as Adela
  • Jose Luis López Cama as Lucho
  • Teresita Sánchez as Paula
  • Caterina Ramirez Guallar as Adelita

Production

The film produced by Allegra Films, Animalita Films, and Exit Media was shot across two continents, with principal photography conducted in Peru, specifically in Cusco, the jungle and the Andes, and in Catalonia, encompassing the regions of Montsià, Terres de l'Ebre and Maresme, and the city of Barcelona. The film was wrapped up in March 2026.[4]

The film was made with support from Barcelona-based botanical artist Paula Bruna and Peruvian multimedia creator Cecilia Paredes, and was filmed in both digital and 16 mm formats to depict Adela's memories and dreams. The lead performer, Angélica Castelló, who is also a Mexican electronic composer and sound artist, created the film's soundtrack as well.[4]

Release

Far From the Trees had its World Premiere at the 79th Locarno Film Festival on 13 August 2026, and competed for Golden Leopard.[5][6] The film is also selected in the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera section of the 74th San Sebastián International Film Festival to be held in September 2026.[7]

Reception

Writing for Variety at the Locarno Film Festival, Jay Weissberg described Meritxell Colell's film as a "deeply personal and contemplative drama" in which language and sound evoke memories of childhood. He praised the film's visual treatment, which combines 4K digital cinematography, Super 16 mm and archival material to convey the varied textures of memory. Weissberg praised Ana Pfaff and Colell's skills as editor in creating flashbacks meaningful. He commended production designer Anna Auquer for the detailed recreation of Adela's densely furnished family home. He also highlighted cinematographer Julián Elizalde's sensitive handling of light and his ability to integrate the contrasting visual qualities. He opined that the imagery of Toni and the young Adela lying on a bed covered with vines and grasses was "so mesmerizing" that "the eye wants to linger further."[8]

Accolades

Award Date of ceremony Category Recipient Result Ref.
Locarno Film Festival 15 August 2025 Golden Leopard Far From the Trees Nominated [9]
FIPRESCI Prize Won [10]
San Sebastián International Film Festival 26 September 2026 Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Award Pending [11]

References

  1. ↑ Colell, Meritxell (22 July 2026). "Far From the Trees". Cineuropa. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  2. ↑ "Locarno Film Festival – Far From the Trees". Locarno Film Festival. 9 July 2026. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  3. ↑ Del Don, Giorgia (9 July 2026). "Locarno unveils its competition line-up". Cineuropa. Retrieved 24 July 2026.
  4. 1 2 Rivera, Alfonso (6 March 2026). "Meritxell Colell completes filming of Far from the Trees". Cineuropa. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  5. ↑ Szalai, Georg (9 July 2026). "Hong Sang-soo, Albert Serra, Vincent Grashaw Films Set for Locarno Lineup". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  6. ↑ Del Don, Giorgia (9 July 2026). "Locarno unveils its competition line-up". Cineuropa. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  7. ↑ Rivera, Alfonso (17 July 2026). "The San Sebastián International Film Festival announces another major Spanish presence". Cineuropa. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  8. ↑ Jay Weissberg (13 August 2026). "'Far From the Trees' Review: A Richly Contemplative Journey of Physical and Mental Meanderings, Beautifully Combining 4K Digital with Super 16". Variety. Retrieved 16 August 2026.
  9. ↑ Ben Dalton (9 July 2026). "Locarno unveils 2026 lineup including Hong Sangsoo's 'Nowhere To Lay My Eyes', Denis Cote's 'Nobody's Violence'". ScreenDaily. Retrieved 25 July 2026.
  10. ↑ Georg Szalai (15 August 2026). "Locarno Film Festival Awards Go to 'You Don't Belong Here,' Hong Sangsoo, Monica Bellucci". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 15 August 2026.
  11. ↑ "Roberto Bueso, Mikel Gurrea and Javier Ruiz Caldera to compete for the Golden Shell at the San Sebastian Festival's 74th edition". San Sebastián International Film Festival. 16 July 2026. Retrieved 17 August 2026.
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