Rodrigo Sorogoyen's 'El ser querido' competes at Cannes 2026

Spanish director Rodrigo Sorogoyen, 44, is in competition at the Cannes Film Festival for the first time with his new film 'El ser querido', starring Javier Bardem. The film marks a significant leap in budget and international reach for Sorogoyen, who previously gained acclaim for 'As bestas' (2022) and 'Il regno' (2018), as well as the TV series 'Dieci capodanni' (2024). 'El ser querido' follows a renowned director with a strained relationship with his adult daughter, whom he asks to star in his new film. The opening scene, a 20-minute lunch conversation, has drawn particular praise for its acting and tension-building. Sorogoyen is known for blending intellectual auteur ambitions with commercial pacing. The film is generating buzz for possible awards in acting (Bardem and co-star Victoria Luengo) and directing. Sorogoyen's earlier work often tackles current issues: 'Il regno' explores political corruption during Spain's economic boom, while 'As bestas' depicts a conflict over wind turbines in Galicia. His series 'Dieci capodanni' found unexpected success in Italy on RaiPlay, boosting actor Francesco Carril's profile there.