"La Lucha" Film on Canarian Wrestling Debuts in Tenerife

The Mencey Tegueste Island Arena became a cinema on Tuesday for the Tenerife premiere of La Lucha, a film by Jose Alayón. The movie is set to open this Friday. Abubukaka hosted the event, which drew 850 attendees, including figures from film, Canarian wrestling, and the wider cultural scene.

The screening was attended by many generations of the island's film industry, including Juan Antonio Castaño, Teodoro Ríos, David Baute, and Ana Sánchez Gijón. The traditional sport of Canarian wrestling was also well-represented. Mamadou Cámara, the champion of the Tegueste Wrestling Club, and its president, Marcos Galván, were among those present, acting as hosts for the event.

Many male and female wrestlers also came, including cast members like Inés Cano and Aridany Pérez. Media figures who promote Canarian wrestling, such as José Manuel Pitti, Rosendo González, and David Yanes, were also in attendance.

The event received support from the Government of the Canary Islands and the Tegueste City Council. A large number of officials were present, led by Fernando Clavijo, the President of the Canary Islands government. He was joined by councilors Narvay Quintero, Poli Suárez, and Mariano Hernández Zapata; general directors Lorena Hernández and Cristóbal de la Rosa; commissioner Noelia García; and members of the local council, including Tegueste's mayor, Norberto Padilla.

Making a film takes more than just ideas; bringing them to the screen requires immense time, effort, and patience. Over six years ago, Jose Alayón, the director of La Lucha, and Marina Alberti, its co-screenwriter and executive producer, first considered making a film about Canarian wrestling. Alberti shared at the film's presentation that the decision was cemented during a meeting with Mariluz, a long-standing member of the Tara Wrestling Club in Las Mercedes (La Laguna). After seeing a photo album that chronicled the club's history, they both knew they had to make the movie.

Tomasín Padrón and Yazmina Estupiñán, who star in the film, spoke of their joy in being part of such a project. Director Jose Alayón stressed, "There was a need to tell this universe." He added, "We held a huge casting call where we learned so much from the intimate stories they shared with us, from everything they wanted to express... There was a sense of belonging, a mystery that guided us to make this film."