Forget Everything You Know About Romance — Iván & Hadoum Just Redefined Love at Berlin!

Spanish filmmaker Ian de la Rosa is making his feature debut with Iván & Hadoum, premiering in the Panorama section at the Berlin International Film Festival. The film, described as “a classic love story with characters who are anything but classic,” explores romance against the backdrop of socio-economic struggle.

Inspiration from Predator

De la Rosa revealed that the project began with a striking image inspired by the 1987 sci-fi thriller Predator. In a film research class, he studied the alien’s thermal vision and imagined how powerful it would be to see people as they truly are inside, beyond societal labels. That concept became a visual and thematic foundation for Iván & Hadoum.

Story and Themes

Set in the industrial greenhouses of southern Spain, the film follows Iván, who falls in love with his colleague Hadoum. Their relationship faces challenges as Iván’s ambition for promotion collides with the realities of class struggle. De la Rosa emphasizes that the central conflict is not immigration but class. Hadoum’s line, “They exploit you the same everywhere. Only the scenery changes,” encapsulates the film’s broader social commentary while keeping the love story intimate.

Casting and Chemistry

The leads, Silver Chicón and Herminia Loh, were cast serendipitously. De la Rosa described the process as “one of those coincidences where all the stars align.” The actors worked intensively for two months before filming, building intimacy and chemistry that translated to emotional truth on screen.

Production and Financing

Iván & Hadoum is a Spain-Germany-Belgium co-production, produced by Avalon, Pecado Films, and Vayolet Films, with Port-au-Prince Films and Saga Film as partners. The project initially won the Eurimage Coproduction Award in Berlin, though later financing challenges arose. Support came from Canal Sur, Junta de Andalucía, ICAA, TVE, Movistar Plus+, Arte, and Saga Film. Despite the complexity of international financing, De la Rosa maintained his creative vision. “New possibilities opened up for filming in better conditions, but the co-producers always respected my vision,” he said.

Berlin Legacy

For Avalon, Iván & Hadoum continues a strong track record at Berlin, following Summer 1993, Matria, and Alcarràs. Producer Stefan Schmitz praised De la Rosa’s subtle yet moving storytelling, noting his potential for a long career ahead. With its blend of intimate romance and sharp social critique, Iván & Hadoum is poised to resonate with audiences at Berlin and beyond.