The Basque film Karmele, which debuted at the 2025 San Sebastian Film Festival last September, will be showcased in cities across the U.S. in May. Director Asier Altuna, who has made previous trips to the U.S. for his films, will be appearing at the screenings to speak about the movie and answer questions from the audiences.
Karmele is the story of a Basque nurse who flees her homeland after the Spanish Civil War. In France, she marries a Basque jazz trumpet player. After spending time in Europe, the two end up in Venezuela, but eventually they return to their homeland to fight against the dictatorship of Francisco Franco.
The film tour will feature 12 screenings in six states and Washington D.C. The movie is in Euskera and Spanish and will include English subtitles. Most of the presentations are sponsored by local Basque clubs.“They are very excited about bringing this film to the diaspora,” said Philippe Acheritogaray, who arranged for Karmele to be screened in the U.S.
“It will resonate with the diaspora because the characters left Euskal Herria just like immigrants in the diaspora,” added Acheritogaray, noting the similarities between the film’s protagonists and Basque immigrants who settled in the U.S.
The film is based on the real-life experiences of Karmele Urresti and Txomin Letamendi, whose lives are reflected in the novel Elkarrekin Esnatzeko Ordua (Time to Wake Up Together) by Basque author Kirmen Uribe. Uribe has published four books and numerous poems and essays which have been translated into numerous languages. He serves as Writer in Residence in the MFA in Creative Writing in Spanish at New York University.
Director Asier Altuna, along with Marian Fernandez Pascal, started the Basque film company Txintxua Films in 2016. His last visit to the U.S. was in 2016 to showcase his film “Amama.”
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The film screenings are also co-sponsored by the Basque government in Euskadi and the Etxepare Basque Institute.
Film Tour Calendar
Thursday, May 7: New York University, New York, NY. 6 p.m. Espacio de Culturas, 53 Washington Square South. Q & A and wine reception afterwards with Asier Altuna and Kirmen Uribe. Organized by the Delegation of the Basque Country to the U.S. Reservations
Friday, May 8: Washington D.C. Euskal Etxea. 6:30 p.m. Healey Family Student Center, New South Film Screening Classroom Room 156, 3700 Tondorf Rd., Georgetown University, Washington D.C. Free Admission
Saturday, May 9: Big Horn Basque Club, Buffalo, Wyo. 11 a.m. Buffalo Theater, 235 S Main St. Free Admission. Director Altuna will not be part of this presentation.
Monday, May 11: University of Nevada, Reno, Reno, Nev. 5:30 p.m. Meet & Greet, 6 p.m. Film. Craft Wine & Beer, 22 Martin St., Screening followed by a Q&A – Free Admission
Tuesday, May 12: Mendiko Euskaldun Cluba, Gardnerville, Nev. 6 p.m. Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 1479 U.S. Hwy 395 N. Suggested $5 donation to the museum.
Friday, May 15: Basque Educational Organization and Basque Cultural Center, South San Francisco, Calif. 7 p.m. Meet & Greet, 7:30 p.m. Film. Basque Cultural Center, 599 Railroad Ave. Free Admission.
Saturday, May 16: Ontario, Oregon Basque Club, Ontario, Ore. 6:30 p.m. Ontario Train Depot, 300 SE 1st St. Free admission
Sunday, May 17: Gooding Basque Association, Gooding, Idaho. 285 Euskadi Lane, Gooding. $10 donation optional
Tuesday, May 19: Basque Museum & Cultural Center, Boise, Idaho. 6 p.m. Basque Center, 601 W. Grove St. Free Admission. Donations to BMCC accepted
Thursday, May 21: Chino Basque Club, Chino, Calif. 6 p.m. Chino Basque Club, 15181 Sierra Bonita Lane
Friday, May 22: California State University Bakersfield, Bakersfield, Calif. 4:30 p.m. Doors, 5 p.m. Film. The Doré Theatre, 9001 Stockdale Hwy. Free Parking in Lot C. Free Admission
Sunday, May 31, Seattle Euskal Etxea, Seattle, Wash. 2 p.m. Lowdown Ballroom, 628 11th Ave E. (Capitol Hill), Seattle
Film Trailer with English subtitles
