
Writing
Bernardo Atxaga
Born 1951-07-27 · Asteasu, Gipuzkoa, Basque Country
Bernardo Atxaga, pseudonym of Jose Irazu Garmendia, is a Basque writer and self-translator. His book of short stories, 'Obabakoak' ('Individuals and things of Obaba'), published in 1988 won him much fame and several prizes. So far, the book has been translated into more than 25 languages.
Acting credits
NRA documentary film about the origins of the Basque trikitixa. It reflects how the small accordion brought by one of the Italian workers who came to build the Madrid-Paris railway tunnels in 1859, starting from Zumarraga, has become a symbol of contemporary Basque music.
The Tunnel of the Bellows
2025
6.5An attempt to create a bridge between the different political positions that coexist, sometimes violently, in the Basque Country, in northern Spain.
The Basque Ball: Skin Against Stone
2003
NRIn this documentary, we travel to the main locations where the musical movement known as "Basque Radical Rock" exploded, emerging in the Basque Country and Navarre in the 1980s. It recalls bands from that era, such as Cicatriz, Zarama, RIP, Eskorbuto, and Kortatu, and interviews some of its leading figures.
Rock Radikal Vasco: La gran martxa de los 80
2013
9.0The discovery of a series of unreleased tapes leads Juan Carlos Pérez, leader of the iconic group Itoiz, to reflect on the dissolution of the band at its peak, after a clear change of style towards pop that he still denies today. Juan Carlos will thus begin a cathartic journey to the essence of the group, reliving the beginnings of the band as a progressive rock group in Mutriku in the 70's, which will serve him to reconcile with the past.
Itoiz Summer Sessions
2025
According to an ancient proverb, “every dress has its reverse side.” Based on this, Bernardo Atxaga explains the origin of his texts, the underbelly of his novels and poems, in this documentary. Topics include: a passage from the life of so-called “enfant sauvage” Victor de l'Aveyron, an old photograph of the school at Asteasu and its message, the prevalent mood in Bilbao around 1970 and the influence it had on writers of the period, the literary consecuences of a man's insipid illness.
Empty Places, Full Words
2012
Behind the camera
NRRamón and Manuel, brothers, live alone in the mountain. One day, Ramón arrives home with a prostitute, who disturbs their monotonous and peaceful life.
Oraingoz izen gabe
1986
NRIrene, a former member of the terrorist gang ETA recently released from prison in Catalonia, recalls her past during her return trip to the Basque Country.
Zeru horiek
2006
According to an ancient proverb, “every dress has its reverse side.” Based on this, Bernardo Atxaga explains the origin of his texts, the underbelly of his novels and poems, in this documentary. Topics include: a passage from the life of so-called “enfant sauvage” Victor de l'Aveyron, an old photograph of the school at Asteasu and its message, the prevalent mood in Bilbao around 1970 and the influence it had on writers of the period, the literary consecuences of a man's insipid illness.
Empty Places, Full Words
2012