Criterion Premieres: Romería

[swo17]

An orphaned young woman's search through the shards of her family's past becomes an encounter with the missing pieces of her identity, in this graceful reflection on memory and inheritance. Marina (Llúcia Garcia), an aspiring filmmaker, visits the luminous seaside city of Vigo in northwestern Spain seeking answers about her biological parents' turbulent lives and mystery-shrouded deaths. As she gets to know her father's fractious family, she confronts competing narratives and long-buried secrets. Unfolding with a free-flowing lyricism that tips into dream and fantasy, Romería finds director Carla Simón turning a compassionate gaze on her own complex heritage, reclaiming hidden history through the alchemical magic of cinema.

INCLUDES

• Meet the Filmmakers: Carla Simón, a Criterion Channel original interview
• Trailer
• Notes by critic and programmer Giovanni Marchini Camia

[Michael Kerpan]

Sounds interesting -- has anyone seen this movie?

[Lowry_Sam]

It’s on the channel. I found it to be one of the weakest of the premierEs line, but a few have placed it in their top 10 for 2026 so I guess it has its supporters.

[zedz]

It’s something of a sequel to Summer 1993, Simon’s debut, and a brilliant and more singular film. Definitely see that one first. Her second feature, Alcarras, is also excellent. Romeria is merely very good.

[nitin]

It's a great trilogy but split across labels. Oscilloscope put out Summer 1993, Picturehouse in the UK put out Alcarras (my personal favourite) and now Criterion is doing Romeria.