Netflix Nears U.S. Deal for Cannes Film 'The Black Ball' After 20-Minute Ovation

7 articles · Updated · Hollywood Reporter · May 23

Netflix is set to acquire U.S. distribution rights to Spanish-language Cannes competition film “The Black Ball,” though the streamer has not officially confirmed the deal.
A 20-minute standing ovation — described as the festival’s longest — followed Thursday’s world premiere, reinforcing momentum after a bidding battle that had drawn Netflix, A24 and Mubi.
Javier Ambrossi and Javier Calvo’s first feature since 2017’s “Holy Camp!” follows three men in 1932, 1937 and 2017 linked by the final works of Federico García Lorca.
Penélope Cruz and Glenn Close appear in supporting roles, while Elastica will release the film in Spain in October and co-producer Le Pacte will handle France theatrically.
The strong Cannes response positions “The Black Ball” as a breakout title for Los Javis and a prominent queer-history contender in this year’s competition.

Will a Spanish film about queer history become a U.S. box office hit, or is its record-breaking deal just festival hype?

Can a film rooted in Spanish poet Lorca’s legacy truly resonate with a global audience unfamiliar with his work?

Does this record deal signal a real shift in Hollywood's embrace of foreign films, or is it simply a rare exception?