Time-Spanning Ballad: Los Javis’ The Black Ball as a Gay Storytelling Epic

At Cannes, The Black Ball emerges as Los Javis’ era-spanning tribute to queer storytelling, weaving three timelines—1932’s casino entry drama, 1937’s wartime romance, and 2017’s historian’s quest—tied together by Lorca’s unfinished play and a lyrical celebration of love. Praised for its audacious structure, lush sound design, and lyric, interconnected storytelling, the film unfolds like one unbroken piece of music and serves as a heartfelt homage to dead queer voices; IndieWire gave it an A and noted it’s seeking U.S. distribution.