Jone, sometimes (Jone, batzuetan), the debut feature directed by Sara Fantova, made a strong impression at the Noordelijk Film Festival in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. Following its screenings on November 5 and 7, the Basque coming-of-age drama earned an impressive 4.3/5 rating from the public, tying for 11th place in the overall audience ranking alongside titles such as Karmele and Father’s Day.
Audience acclaim in the Netherlands
At the Noordelijk Film Festival, ratings are determined directly by viewers voting immediately after each screening. Achieving a 4.3/5 score highlights how an intimate story rooted in local Basque folklore and traditions can resonate deeply with international audiences across the globe.
About “Jone, sometimes”: Synopsis and Themes
Set in mid-August while Bilbao is buzzing with its annual Aste Nagusia festival week, twenty-year-old Jone (Olaia Aguayo) finds herself torn between two worlds. Amidst the street festivities, she falls head over heels for the eccentric Olga (Ainhoa Artetxe)—a first love that brings an enchanting sense of freedom and possibility.
Back home, however, caring for her father, Aitor (Josean Bengoetxea), demands her full attention. His worsening Parkinson’s disease has left him unable to work, forcing Jone to shoulder the responsibility of looking after both him and her younger sister, Marta. As her world expands and shrinks all at once, Jone, batzuetan delivers a vulnerable portrait of youthful abandon clashing with adult responsibility, exploring how much space one is allowed to claim for oneself when loved ones are in greatest need.
International Festival Run and Where to Watch
Before the success at the Noordelijk, Jone, sometimes has been in some of the most important festivals of Spain, such as D’A or Malaga Film Fest, where it was given the special mention of the jury for its direction; and international festivals as BFI Flare in London or Thessaloniki in Greece.
For audiences looking to catch up with the film, Jone, sometimes is currently available to stream exclusively in Spain through FILMIN.