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Juan Cavestany's 'Vial Matadero' Premieres at DocumentaMadrid

festival-fair · 2026-05-30

Filmmaker Juan Cavestany (Madrid, 1967) presents 'Vial Matadero', a documentary exploring Matadero Madrid, as part of the 23rd edition of DocumentaMadrid. The film is described as a choral piece with no single protagonist, featuring five or six voices that guide viewers through the space. The most prominent voice belongs to Beatriz, a cleaner who has worked at Matadero for decades and whose opening words evoke a fairy-tale beginning. Cavestany encountered Beatriz on his first visit to the site, where he aimed to photograph and meet its inhabitants. The documentary reflects on Matadero as a mirror of Madrid, where decay coexists with the possibility of avant-garde.

Key facts

  • Juan Cavestany directed 'Vial Matadero'.
  • The documentary is part of DocumentaMadrid's 23rd edition.
  • The film focuses on Matadero Madrid.
  • Beatriz, a cleaner, is the most important voice in the film.
  • Cavestany met Beatriz on his first day at Matadero.
  • The film has no protagonist and is described as choral.
  • Cavestany was born in Madrid in 1967.
  • The documentary explores Matadero as a mirror of the city.

Entities

Artists

  • Juan Cavestany
  • Beatriz

Institutions

  • Matadero Madrid
  • DocumentaMadrid

Locations

  • Madrid
  • Spain

Sources