‘5 More Minutes’ Director and Star Unpack San Sebastian Buzz

At the San Sebastian Film Festival, Javier Ruiz Caldera’s latest drama, “5 More Minutes” (“5 Minutos Más”), debuted in the main competition, drawing attention for its unique narrative structure and tonal complexity. The film explores how a struggling couple might reconnect by being thrust into a scenario that mirrors a global apocalypse.

Writer and star Berto Romero, known for “The Other Side,” and Belen Cuesta, from “The Endless Trench,” portray a pair attempting to salvage their marriage. They retreat to a picturesque vacation property in the Girona countryside of Spain, where they are met by Carlos, a property manager portrayed by Javier Cámara in a departure from his typically warm roles. Shortly after receiving the keys, the couple finds themselves repeatedly jumping back in time by five minutes.

As these temporal loops continue, the protagonists descend into paranoia. The film merges Catalan and French traditions of critiquing bourgeois manners with a modern blend of genres: sharp comedy, sci-fi, and violent thriller elements driven by nightmare logic.

In interviews leading up to the premiere, Ruiz Caldera and Romero discussed the creative decisions behind the project. The director noted that he sought a challenge distinct from his previous work, drawn to Romero’s script for its fusion of fantasy, thriller, and humor.

A key technical feature is the film’s construction from precise five-minute takes. Ruiz Caldera explained that every sequence was filmed at exactly 6:35 p.m. to ensure identical lighting and conditions across cinematography, art, costume, sound, and visual effects. This constraint was designed to make the audience feel the weight of each moment without the relief of editing cuts.

Despite the rigid structure, the director emphasized that the performances felt spontaneous. While extensive rehearsals and improvisation occurred during preparation, the actual filming required precise timing. The cast, including Cámara, Cuesta, and Romero, achieved this balance through careful coordination.

The film’s musical identity is anchored by Roy Orbison’s “In Dreams,” used at both the beginning and end. Ruiz Caldera selected the track for its hypnotic and mysterious quality, hoping audiences would associate it with David Lynch’s “Blue Velvet,” adding an intriguing layer to the narrative.

Berto Romero highlighted the supportive role of producers Movistar Plus, El Terrat, and Ikiru Films. He cited a long-standing professional relationship with these entities, which granted the team complete creative freedom. For distribution, Romero expressed confidence in Filmax’s ability to connect the film with Spanish audiences.

The production blends sci-fi, survival thriller, and dark comedy. Romero described his attraction to genre mixing as reflective of life itself, where tones shift rapidly. He noted that while he never set out to make a pure comedy, humor emerged organically, much like in “Jurassic Park.” When asked if this genre preference is specific to Spanish cinema, Romero suggested it is a personal instinct shared by international filmmakers rather than a national trait.