Formentera cinema’s newest features, “Idò mata’ls” and “Idò remata’ls”, cast island-folk in a gangster saga

cartell 2021 ido matalsThis Friday and Sunday at Formentera’s Sala de Cultura–Cinema, two short films from Ibizan director Javier Riera are part of a saga whose roots stretch back to 2005. That’s when Riera, then a youthful student in audiovisual arts, wrote and filmed Idò mata’l  as a 25-minute send-up of his film noir favourites set against the unmistakeable backdrop of the White Isle. Shot with the help of friends, Riera’s short wins Sant Antoni Short Film Fest’s audience pick, and in one fell swoop secures Idò mata’l an overnight cult following for the filmmaker’s deft combination of surreal humour, cinematic nods and everyday elements of cultura eivissenca.

Fast-forward eleven years. Not only is the saga’s first instalment still fresh in fans’ minds, but a production company is now in the wings, and Riera sets out to make a sequel. Idò remata’ls is filmed with a new set of tools and the familiar shoestring budget. Boosted by financial backing from a GoFundMe initiative and a uniquely spirited social media campaign, the short becomes a breakout hit and instant archetype of Pine Islands humour.

Idò mata’ls and Idò remata’ls will play at the local Sala de Cultura–Cinema from 8.00pm on Friday and Saturday (7 and 9 May). Tickets are available at www.entradesformentera.cat or thirty minutes before showtime at the box office.

3 May 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera