“Urtain, el ídolo de barro” has its world première at the BCN Sports Film Festival 2025

The BCN Sports Film Festival 2025 has been the stage for the world premiere of the documentary “Urtain, el ídolo de barro”, a production that explores the life and career of José Manuel Ibar “Urtain”, the legendary Basque boxer who left his mark on Spanish sports history.

A unique setting for an exclusive screening

The documentary was screened as part of the “Stories Behind the Ring” session, held on Tuesday, February 18, at 8:00 PM at Cinemes Girona. This session provided an insightful perspective into the world of boxing and its impact on different social and historical contexts.

“Urtain, el ídolo de barro”: A tale of glory and tragedY

The film chronicles Urtain’s meteoric rise from traditional Basque stone lifting to becoming the European boxing champion during Franco’s dictatorship. Through a deep and emotional narrative, the documentary not only portrays his legendary career inside the ring but also delves into the darker aspects of his personal life and the media’s role in shaping his image.

Discussion with the production and directing team

Following the screening, the audience enjoyed an engaging Q&A session with the film’s production and directing team. Xavier Baig and Jordi Rovira, directors of Urtain, el ídolo de barro, and Òscar Moreno, screenwriter and producer of the film, participated in the event.

The filmmakers shared insights into the research and development process of the project, as well as the challenges they faced in reconstructing the life of such an iconic and complex figure as Urtain.

An enthusiastic audience reception

The world première of Urtain, el ídolo de barro generated great excitement among attendees, who praised the emotional impact of the story and the high-quality storytelling of the production. This first screening marked a key moment in the festival, further establishing the BCN Sports Film Festival as a platform for high-value sports and cinematic premieres.