Image: Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, Madrid
Madrid’s 42nd edition of 'Veranos de la Villa' is placing cinema at the centre of its summer programme with two initiatives that aim to broaden how audiences experience film. According to the city of Madrid, the festival, organised by the Área de Cultura, Turismo y Deporte of the Ayuntamiento de Madrid, is running from 14 July to 14 August and includes both an outdoor cycle designed around audience participation and a new inclusive screening series with specialist introductions.
The press note presents the season as a way of turning the city into a summer cinema while offering “different ways of living a screening.” The two strands are framed as complementary: one encourages commentary, interruption and live interaction with the film, while the other creates a calmer environment in which screenings are preceded by conversations led by occupational therapy professionals. Both are described as part of a programme intended for diverse audiences and accessible viewing.
'"Cine Caliente"' returns for a sixth year within 'Veranos de la Villa'. Curated by La Juan Gallery, the cycle is built on the idea of watching iconic films collectively and reactively, with the public encouraged to take part rather than remain silent. Each session includes invited figures noted for their creative track records, comic timing or popularity, who comment on the film as it plays, alongside DJs who shape the evening and keep the atmosphere animated.
This summer’s 'Cine Caliente' programme began on 14 July in Parque de la Bombilla with a screening of 'Armas de mujer'. The cycle then continued with 'A por todas', commented on by Carolina Sobe and Germán González, with music from Oro Jondo. The press material says 'Pretty Woman' will be introduced by Juan Sanguino, with Rev Silver closing the night, while Laura del Val will accompany 'Lazos Ardientes' and Gianluca Bonanno will extend the evening. The note does not provide a full schedule beyond these listed sessions.
The second strand, the 'Ciclo Inclusivo de Proyección Cinematográfica', begins on 6 August and is presented as a new addition to the festival. It is organised with COPTOCAM, the Colegio Profesional de Terapeutas Ocupacionales de la Comunidad de Madrid. Before each screening, professionals in occupational therapy will offer an introductory discussion linking the film to topics such as mental health, disability or neurodiversity, with the aim of making the experience more human, reflective and close to the audience.
The inclusive cycle opens with 'Una mente maravillosa' on Thursday 6 August, following an introduction by COPTOCAM’s mental health working group. 'Campeones' follows on Saturday 8 August with a talk by María Gaos and María Pinar. On 13 and 15 August, the mental health group will precede screenings of 'Despertares' and 'Billy Elliot'. The programme continues on 20 August with 'El Diario de Noa', introduced by the geriatrics working group, and ends on 22 August with 'Intocable', again preceded by María Gaos and María Pinar.
All of the inclusive-cycle events will be interpreted in sign language. The films will also be subtitled and supported with magnetic loop systems and amplified sound, extending the festival’s summer cinema offer through 14 August in Madrid.
