Netflix releases an official teaser and trailer for “La Bola Negra” (“The Black Ball”), the Spanish-language queer epic that emerged as a Cannes breakout. The film is directed by Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi and is set to open in Spain later in the month, with a U.S. theatrical release beginning in November, ahead of a subsequent appearance at the Toronto Film Festival.
Across the sources, the story is described as spanning three time periods—1932, 1937, and 2017—in Spain. It follows interconnected lives of three gay men, examining how themes such as sexuality, desire, pain, and inheritance change across eras. Variety and other coverage frame the film as being tied to the Spanish Civil War and the lasting impact of events from that period. Details on the title’s meaning are also consistent, with “The Black Ball” linked to an event and to an unfinished work by Spanish poet and playwright Federico García Lorca.
Sources differ mainly in emphasis. FirstShowing highlights the teaser and broader release cadence, as well as a cast lineup including Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close. IndieWire characterizes the Cannes success and positions Netflix’s push toward awards, while Variety focuses on the film’s time-bending structure and its Best Director win at Cannes.
