Castells
Invited
In the narrowest of streets, amongst the largest of crowds, a 30-foot human spire ascends above balconies. Swarms of spectators surround the tower’s foundation, and a surreal silence falls over the scene as the last tip of the pyramid, a five-year-old child, makes her way to the top. Spend one season with the Colla Joves, a 400-person human pyramid building team from the small town of Valls in Catalonia. As they travel to compete with neighboring villages—including their greatest rival, the Colla Vella—the film gracefully and exuberantly illustrates the many ways a community can hold together. With a whimsical score and jaw-dropping cinematography, this rich story unfolds through a collection of moments and details. A passionate and celebratory journey, Castells reveals one community’s unbounded desire for unity. ST
Director
Gereon Wetzel
Producers
Philipp Wundt, Anna Ginestí Rosell
Release Year
2006
Festival Year
2007
Country
Germany
Run Time
88 minutes
Premiere
North American Premiere