Glitter Sneaks In, And Substance Takes A Back Seat

The San Sebastián International Film Festival made its name with a willingness to push the envelope and present works at which more prominent fests turn up their nose. But with reputation comes commercial viability, and Hollywood has begun to “discover” San Sebastián. The result, say observers, is a decided uptick in the festival’s glitter factor, and a noticable downplaying of the feistiness for which it is known. Still, San Sebastián continues to fill a unique role in the development of new and innovative film artists, and no amount of Hollywood involvement seems likely to change that overarching mission.