Pelota II

Danish filmmaker Jørgen Leth and anthropologist Olatz Gonzalez Abrisketa introduce us to the world of the ballgame Basque pelota, a centuries-old sport that’s similar to squash. Leth made another film about pelota more than 30 years ago, but he has now returned to the subject to focus in particular on the mysteries of the balls: “Each ball is an individual with its own life.” And every player has his own special relationship with the ball. In voice-over, Leth tells us about the production and the special selection procedures of the balls. Before each match, supervisors test the balls – first by bouncing them, to test their elasticity and listen to their sound, then by playing against the wall. Having tested dozens of balls, the finalists finally play twice with two balls. Leth and Gonzalez Abrisketa's focus is on the ball at all times – makers, testers, selectors, players and veterans all talk about the ball, not about the rules, winning or losing. Leth also resists the temptation to use footage from his 1983 film . We stay in the present; the camera shows us that every Basque village has its own authentic (wall), and how the young people are brought up with this exceptional sport.