Producers Sandra Hermida and Belén Atienza are presenting ‘She Walks in Darkness’ at the San Sebastian Film Festival, where it screens out of competition in the Official Selection. Inspired by the largest undercover operation against ETA, the film tells the story of Amaia, a young Civil Guard officer who spent more than a decade infiltrated within the terrorist group in order to locate the weapons caches hidden in the south of France.

How did the idea come about to bring to the screen a story inspired by one of the most important undercover operations against ETA?

Sandra Hermida: Belén Atienza and Tano have had a close relationship for years, and they had long been looking for a project that would allow them to work together again. Following in the footsteps of filmmakers such as Costa-Gavras, Melville or Bellocchio, ‘She Walks in Darkness’ was born out of their shared desire to make a film in the finest tradition of the European historical-political thriller.

The film is set in the 1990s and 2000s, at the height of the conflict. How important is it for you to show that period to younger generations who may not have experienced it first-hand?

Belén Atienza: Beyond the aim of telling a spy thriller, there was also the intention to portray a period in our history marked by social mobilisation in the streets against violence. Those years were key in our recent history, and we felt that, even though it is a relatively recent past, it remains largely unknown to younger generations. Conveying to them the social strength of those mobilisations has been one of the driving forces behind the project.

‘She Walks in Darkness’ is screening out of competition at the SSIFF. What does it mean for you to present the film at this festival, and what do you expect from the audience’s reaction here?

Belén Atienza: The SSIFF is a festival where we have grown as filmmakers and producers, and we consider it our home. We are delighted that this festival will be the film’s first window to the world, and screening it at the Kursaal before almost 2,000 people is a real privilege we are eager to experience. With this film in particular, the fact that audiences in the Basque Country will be the first to see it is an immensely moving experience for everyone involved.

What technical or narrative challenges did you face in recreating such a complex context, both politically and on a human level?

Belén Atienza: This is a period film set in relatively recent times, which in itself already poses a major challenge in terms of recreation. Moreover, it was not just about recreating a specific historical moment, but the narrative spans twelve years, from 1992 to 2004. It was therefore essential that, beyond the historical context, the audience could also feel the passage of time reflected both in the characters and in the story.

Sandra Hermida: This challenge had a direct impact on the art, costume, makeup, and hair departments. In this case, a large team, mostly made up of professionals from the Basque Country, was key to achieving a result of the highest quality. Specifically, in terms of art, the approach was to shoot in natural locations, aiming for realism and fidelity to the actual events. The level of intervention in each setting, both exterior and interior, was very high. All these factors, combined with the ambitious circumstances of the shoot—70 locations, filming across Gipuzkoa and the south of France, a road movie format, high technical demands, two parallel units, and a huge technical and artistic team—required an immense exercise in coordination and very careful production planning.

Finally, what is the film’s planned trajectory after the festival?

Sandra Hermida: In partnership with Netflix, ‘She Walks in Darkness’ will follow in the footsteps of ‘La sociedad de la nieve’ in terms of its release and exhibition. It will first premiere in cinemas across Spain on the 3rd of October, and subsequently be available on the streaming platform on the 17th of October, ensuring access for millions of households worldwide.