The Teatro Municipal Concha Espina will host the screening of the documentary 'las capas de la lasaña' on 15 October at 20:00. Directed by local filmmaker Guillermo Ruiz, the event offers free admission until full capacity is reached.
Jesús Sánchez, the councillor for Local Development and Dynamisation, and María Castillo, the executive producer from Estudio Clementine, announced the screening during a press conference where they discussed the documentary's key aspects and the municipal collaboration that aided its production.
Sánchez explained that, in addition to standard efforts to promote employment and enhance Torrelavega's profile, his department also supports individuals with cultural interests, as exemplified by 'las capas de la lasaña'. He noted that this collaboration represents valuable assistance to the film industry.
The councillor emphasised the aim to support not only businesses and unemployed individuals but also initiatives that generate significant returns for the city, particularly in sports and culture. He expressed gratitude to the entire documentary team and encouraged residents to attend the screening.
A personal journey through memory
'Las capas de la lasaña' is a 95-minute documentary in which Guillermo Ruiz seeks to reconstruct the life of his father, José Antonio Ruiz Gutiérrez, through the testimonies of family, friends, and others who shared various stages of his life. The film explores a life filled with diverse experiences, from religious education and involvement in social and trade union movements to travels in Africa and a subsequent career in teaching.
This family narrative also provides insight into the political and social changes experienced in Spain over several decades. María Castillo described the film as “a very personal documentary by Guillermo” and explained that the director aims to gather the different versions and memories that shape his father's story, a process she likened to “uncovering each layer of the lasagna,” in reference to the film's title.
The documentary features interviews, photographs, family recordings, and archival material to address themes such as memory, family relationships, and the varied ways of recalling a single life.
Municipal collaboration and recognition
Castillo noted that the film is the second feature documentary from Estudio Clementine, produced in collaboration with Agustín Telechea, and highlighted the producer's commitment to supporting young talent, particularly those facing challenges in realising their projects.
Regarding the collaboration with the Torrelavega City Council, she stated that their contribution, while modest, was significant as it enabled the acquisition of necessary music rights to complete the documentary while respecting the artistic vision of its director.
'Las capas de la lasaña' was selected for the Santander Film Festival, where it premiered in September and received the Audience Award. Castillo described this recognition as an “important boost” for the film and revealed that the team is working to expand its distribution and bring it to cinemas.
Technical details and production team
'Las capas de la lasaña' is a Spanish production from 2025, running for 95 minutes. The documentary is directed by Guillermo Ruiz, with María Castillo as executive producer, Agustín Telechea in production, and Patxi Gabella in production direction. The technical team includes Javier Soriano as director of photography, Ignacio de Castro in sound, Mario de Benito in music, and Cristóbal Bolaños in post-production.
