The 17th edition of the CiBRA Film Festival in Toledo commenced with the premiere of director Isabel Coixet’s latest feature, titled *Tres adioses* (Three Farewells). The official inauguration ceremony was held on October 27, 2025, at the site of the National Hospital for Paralyzed, a location that historically serves as a primary venue for the cinematic event. Film enthusiasts can look forward to screenings and activities running through November 8.
The filmmakers characterized *Tres adioses* as an ode to life itself, urging audiences to contemplate the genuinely meaningful elements of human existence. This highly anticipated opening set the stage for numerous other major premieres scheduled during the festival, notably including new works from Javier Veiga and David Trueba. Public interest was palpable, evidenced by the rapid sell-out of tickets for these specific screenings. By integrating significant cinematic debuts with an appreciation for literary adaptation, the CiBRA Festival consistently reinforces Toledo’s reputation as a vital cultural hub.
Coixet’s film is an Italo-Spanish co-production adapted from the posthumously published, semi-autobiographical novel, *Three Bowls* (Три миски), written by the celebrated Italian author and activist Michela Murgia. The narrative centers on the married couple, Marta (portrayed by Alba Rohrwacher) and Antonio (played by Elio Germano), whose routine existence is drastically altered following a seemingly insignificant argument. However, their perspective shifts profoundly when confronted by a serious medical diagnosis. Suddenly, everyday sensations are heightened: food tastes richer, music resonates more deeply, and a fierce, renewed will to live eclipses their fear.
The structure of the film presents a love story unfolding in reverse chronological order, detailing how the female protagonist comes to cherish life precisely because she must confront its inevitable finiteness. Director Isabel Coixet, whose acclaimed repertoire includes *The Bookshop* («La librería», 2017) and *It Snows in Benidorm* («Nieva en Benidorm», 2020), revisits her characteristic preoccupations: human relationships, lasting legacy, and the complex process of farewells. Although filmed in Rome, the movie deliberately steers clear of typical melodramatic tropes, favoring a minimalist and emotionally reserved storytelling approach where silence, subtle pauses, and unspoken glances convey profound meaning.
Furthermore, the CiBRA festival, which traditionally champions cinema based on adapted screenplays, is dedicating its Alice Guy Forum this year to honoring the pioneering work of Alice Guy, recognized as the world's first female director. The robust pre-sales figures for subsequent festival screenings underscore a significant public appetite not for escapism, but for profound introspection. *Tres adioses*, with its unflinching look at accepting the inherent fragility of existence and the necessary re-evaluation of personal values when life’s foundations crumble, serves as a powerful catalyst, prompting every viewer toward essential internal recalibration and a deeper appreciation for the present moment.