‘Franco: Spain’s Scorned Memory,’ ‘Achille Lauro’ Among New Docs Presented by Java Films at France’s TV Rendez-Vous (EXCLUSIVE)

“Franco: Spain’s Scorned Memory,” a new documentary that marks the 50th anniversary of the death of Spanish dictator Francisco Franco, is making its market debut at this year’s Unifrance Rendez-Vous in Le Havre.

It is one of a slew of new politically-tinged docs Java Films is bringing from its muscular autumn slate ready to enter the market at the Rendez-Vous.

The film, produced by Paris-based Galaxie Presse, explores the legacy of Spain’s infamous leader and the ways in which his memory is empowering the country’s new far-right movement.

Despite recent laws forbidding glorifying the Spanish Civil War and excusing Francoism, the “Cara al sol” hymn to Franco is regularly heard at rallies held by the Spain’s extreme right-wing Vox party. Vox has adopted Franco’s narrative on Spanish national identity and made the rehabilitation of the dictator a key part of its electoral campaign.

The film is set to be aired in France in November by its commissioning broadcaster, Histoire TV, with Java Films bringing it to the international sales market for the first time at Le Havre.

Java Films will also be offering the latest film in its longstanding collaboration with French production house Premières Lignes, “That Friday,” the exclusive story behind the horrific 2015 Bataclan attacks in Paris.

On the evening of Nov. 13, 2015, Daniel Psenny, then a journalist for Le Monde living in a building next to the Bataclan concert hall, took the first images of the attack, which were widely broadcast and reposted.

The film asks, who were the people in the images? And 10 years later, what has become of them? The documentary is set to premiere in France on LCP, which commissioned the film, on Nov. 13. The doc has already sold to Francophone Belgian broadcaster RTBF.

Another new acquisition for the Paris-based distributor, “Achille Lauro” revisits the 1985 hijacking of the cruise ship Achille Lauro off the coast of Egypt by members of the Palestinian Liberation Front, who held passengers and crew hostage and demanded the release of 50 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. The three-day ordeal culminated with the murder of American hostage Leon Klinghoffer, the capture of the four Palestinian militants and an armed standoff between the U.S. and Italy over their fate.  

“For the first time, this film brings together the main protagonists to reveal what really happened,” Java Films notes.

Directed by Simone Manetti and produced by Rome-based B&B Film, “Achille Lauro” was co-commissioned by Arte and Germany’s WDR. It has already sold to Spain’s TV3.

Java Films’ lineup likewise includes “Zelensky,” Particules Docs’ portrait of the Ukrainian president. Commissioned by Arte, the film is directed by French documentary filmmaker Yves Jeuland, French journalist Ariane Chemin and historian and researcher Lisa Vapné. Featuring rare access to President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people who have known him since his childhood – as well as photos, film archives and never-before-seen eyewitness accounts – this film paints a picture of both the president and his country.

The film has seen strong sales since its premiere in a special screening at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, going to CNN Portugal, Radio Canada, TVP in Poland and Switzerland’s RTS. The feature documentary is also available as a two-part miniseries.

Donatien Pierda, Java Films’ co-director of operations, sales and acquisitions, said, “We are delighted to be taking part in the Rendez-Vous, an audiovisual market that facilitates exchanges with buyers and gives us the opportunity to screen new, socially conscious and impactful documentaries. We always take great care in selecting the films we bring to the market, putting together a slate we think will really appeal to buyers.

“On-site screenings – which have become all too rare – allow for quick feedback and are a great opportunity and accelerator for the life of documentaries.”