Álvaro Morte presents ‘Lorca: the broken voice’ in Granada

The actor returns to Granada for the premiere of the film about Lorca, taking part in a series of events connected to the poet and his own personal journey.

Actor Álvaro Morte visited Granada for the preview screening of Lorca: The Broken Voice, a documentary film directed by Manuel Menchón that explores the relationship between Federico García Lorca and Juan Ramírez de Lucas, whom researchers consider to have been the poet’s last love. The production, supported by the Provincial Council of Granada through the Patronato Cultural Federico García Lorca and the Film in Granada film office, is released in cinemas across Spain on 16 October.

Álvaro Morte and director Manuel Menchón at Condes de Gabia. Photos: Raquel Martínez / Lucía Rivas

Álvaro Morte’s visit to Granada began on 8 October at the Palacio de los Condes de Gabia, where the film was presented to the media. During the press conference, Morte, who provides the voice of García Lorca in the documentary, was joined by director Manuel Menchón, producer Mario Madueño, Deputy for Culture and Education Pilar Caracuel, the Andalusian Regional Government’s Provincial Delegate for Culture Luis Recuerda, and Granada City Councillor Carolina Amate.

Official press conference at Condes de Gabia. Photo: Pablo Sánchez / Film in Granada

Actor Álvaro Morte said: “I am truly delighted to be here in Granada, a city I love dearly and one that had a profound impact on me during the two years I spent studying here. It was then that I began to develop a deep connection with culture, to understand what it means to enjoy it and how much it can enrich a person’s life. I believe that, in a way, that experience played a significant part in my eventual decision to pursue acting as a career, so returning to Granada with a film like this is particularly special to me.”

About his involvement in ‘Lorca: The Broken Voice’, Álvaro Morte thanked Manuel Menchón for the opportunity to lend his voice to Federico García Lorca, “a figure he has always deeply admired”. The actor admitted that “he initially felt a certain apprehension, and even reluctance, towards the proposal, given the poet’s stature, but that after speaking with the director, he came to understand the director’s profound love for Lorca and the importance of telling this story”.

Morte also praised the film and the director’s work: “I believe the documentary features images of extraordinary beauty and power, and achieving that balance is no easy task. What Manuel has accomplished after so many years of research and hard work is truly wonderful.”

Director Manuel Menchón. Photo: Raquel Martínez / Provincial Council of Granada.

Director and screenwriter Manuel Menchón explained: “For me, Federico has always felt like someone very close to me, rather than just a historical figure, and that is why taking on this project was such a great responsibility.” Menchón highlighted that “this documentary film brings to light previously unseen materials that offer a different perspective on the poet, particularly the notebooks of Juan Ramírez de Lucas”, which form “the heart of the film”, as they contain the testimony of Federico’s former partner, who left written instructions for these documents to be made public after his death in 2010. “Until now, Juan’s voice had never been heard, and I believe this is extremely important for preserving the memory of Federico, of Juan and, I hope, of Granada too,” he said.

For her part, Pilar Caracuel highlighted the Provincial Council of Granada’s commitment to the production, which the institution has supported throughout its development by providing staff from the Patronato Federico García Lorca and Film in Granada, as well as contributing to its financing through the provincial institution’s film funding programme

A Visit to Federico’s Roots

Following the presentation, Álvaro Morte and Manuel Menchón travelled to Fuente Vaqueros, where they visited the Casa Natal de Federico García Lorca. During their visit, they explored the places where the poet spent his childhood, from the various rooms of the house to its courtyard, as well as photographs and family mementoes that offered them a closer insight into his early years.

Visit to Lorca’s Birthplace in Fuente Vaqueros. Photos: Raquel Martínez / Provincial Council of Granada.

The visit held special significance for Álvaro Morte, who, despite having lived in Granada for several years, had never had the opportunity to visit the poet’s birthplace. The actor was visibly moved during the tour and, at the end of the visit, signed a poster for Lorca: The Broken Voice alongside director Manuel Menchón, adding the words: “Overwhelmed with emotion” “La emoción a borbotones”.

Preview Screening of ‘Lorca: The Broken Voice’ in Granada

The day continued in the evening at Megarama Granada cinemas (C.C. Neptuno), where a preview screening of Lorca: The Broken Voice took place. Actor Álvaro Morte, director Manuel Menchón and other members of the film crew attended the special screening, held at 7.30 pm, which attracted a full house of 300 spectators.

The event began with a photocall and an introduction to the film, giving audiences in Granada the opportunity to discover, ahead of its nationwide release and in the poet’s homeland, this story about the relationship between Federico García Lorca and Juan Ramírez de Lucas.

Following the screening, a Q&A session with Álvaro Morte and Manuel Menchón took place, moderated by Carmen González, RTVA’s Regional Director in Granada. During the discussion, several audience members shared their impressions of the film, with contributions filled with emotion and admiration for the work. The conversation also prompted political and historical reflections and questions relating to some of the themes explored in the documentary, as well as the memory and legacy of Federico García Lorca.

Preview screening at Megarama Granada cinemas. Photos: Sideral Cinema.

The “Professor” Returns to the Classroom

Álvaro Morte’s visit to Granada also had a deeply personal significance. The day after the preview screening, on Friday 9 October, the actor returned to IES Padre Manjón, the state secondary school where he studied during the final two years of his pre-university education in the early 1990s. His visit was met with surprise and affection from students and teachers, who enthusiastically welcomed the actor in an encounter marked by warmth and emotion. The famous “Professor” from ‘Money Heist’ (La casa de papel) was back in the classrooms where he had once studied in Granada.

The day was filled with amusing and memorable moments in the cafeteria, corridors and classrooms of his former school, where the popular actor was able to enjoy a breakfast of coffee and a slice of Spanish omelette once again, chat with teachers during the morning break, encourage students to appreciate the value of education, collect his Bachillerato diploma and sign the school’s book of honour. It was a particularly special way to round off his visit to Granada, a city with which he maintains close ties and which, as he recalled, had a profound influence on his personal journey and helped inspire his artistic vocation.

Morte with IES Padre Manjón headteacher Paloma Soler and teacher Ricardo Morillas.

Photo Gallery: Pablo Sánchez / Film in Granada