Isaki Lacuesta has returned to the Malaga Film Festival with his highly anticipated rock band drama Saturn Return (Segundo Premio), a fabled account of iconic Spanish group Los Planetas and their struggle to make their legendary third album, Una semana en un motor de un autobús. The film, directed by Lacuesta with Pol Rodríguez and written with Fernando Navarro, stars Daniel Ibáñez, Stéphanie Magnin, and musician-turned-actor Cristalino.
Saturn Return screened in competition in Malaga, where Lacuesta and Isa Campo won the best director Silver Biznaga for their 2016 mystery drama The Next Skin. Lacuesta explains that the film is not about Los Planetas but rather about the legend of the band and the mystique they have cultivated over the years, largely based on the band's songs.
The film explores how Los Planetas have continued to reinvent themselves over 30 years, creating new songs and albums while other bands opt for tribute concerts. Lacuesta, who wasn't a fan of Los Planetas during the '90s, discovered and admired them in the 2000s when they began mixing flamenco with rock.
Los Planetas, with their Spanish-language lyrics and indie rock sound inspired by bands like Joy Division and Mercury Rev, defined a generation in Spain. Lacuesta praises lead singer Jota's ability to recount sensorial experiences in his lyrics, creating strong emotional bonds with listeners.
The film's aesthetic, reminiscent of '90s music magazine shoots and comic book art, elevates the iconography of Los Planetas. Lacuesta drew inspiration from comic strips, framing shots to evoke a sense of memory and external observation.
Reflecting on the struggles of Los Planetas in making their third album in New York City, Lacuesta sees parallels in his own filmmaking process. The production of Saturn Return faced challenges similar to those of the band, eventually culminating in a successful shoot in New York.
Produced by La Terraza Films, Saturn Return is a frontrunner for prizes at the Malaga Film Festival. Lacuesta is also developing projects, including a narrative feature set in his hometown and a documentary on the history of flamenco and its ties to modernity.
