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Red Rock Film Festival

Javi Zubizarreta's 'Zuretzako' wins nomination to best film

"When life repeats itself," says the director, "we'll do anything to change our destiny. Zuretzako tells the story of the sacrifices that fathers make, and the toll it takes on their sons."

  • Shooting of Zuretzako. Photo: Javi Aitor Zubizarreta

    Shooting of Zuretzako. Photo: Javi Aitor Zubizarreta

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'Zuretzako', a film directed by the Basque American director Javi Aitor Zubizarreta, about the traditionally Basque, immigrant occupation of shepherding on the hills of Idaho, has won a nomination to best film in the fiction feature competition of the Red Rock International Film Festival of Zion Canyon (Southern Utah, USA).

The 60 minute movie, which stars Javi Zubizarreta's father Luis and his brother Josu, is the story of Javi's grandfather, Joaquin, as he herded sheep in the mountains of Idaho, hundreds of miles away from his family in the Basque Country.

Zuretzako starts in 1935, though it later shifts to 1955 when Joaquin is back in the Basque Country with his wife and children and must leave them once again. The action then moves to 1975, when his own son Luis (played by Josu) comes to America to herd with him. Father and son must deal with the fact that they haven't seen each other for many years.

"Years alone in the mountains have turned Joaquin quiet," says the 22-year-old film student. "Despite his efforts, Joaquin's son Luis eventually joins him herding... Joaquin wants his son to have a better life, his son simply wants a relationship with his dad."

The Red Rock Film Festival is a gathering for cinematic art in Zion Canyon of Southern Utah, USA. It is retreat for independent premieres, films, and panels that both enlighten the senses and empower the mind. All genres are considered with a sense of well-being.

To encourage the independent spirit, Red Rock strives to find a home for all films that qualify in competition. This gives the filmmaker a chance to give their work exposure even if they may not make the festival finals.

The demographic is well educated and consists mostly of empty-nesters, young college students and seniors. The festival also aims to find new films for seniors as well as quality films for youth, sports films and films with American Indian themes.

Red Rock is the newest incarnation of the film festival in Southern Utah. It evolved from a college film competition in 1991, and became an international event in 2004.

Zubizarreta enjoyed previous success with his documentary Artzainak: Shepherds and Sheep, which takes a look at the history of shepherding on the Idaho hills near where he grew up.

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