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Last year, Basque Films Series, a movie-program hosted in San Francisco by the Basque Educational Organization (BEO), turned 10. And in spite of the fact that person in charge Philippe Acheritogaray first organized it as a one-time event, nowadays the Basque Cultural Center hosts two programs a year, in Spring and Autumn. Acheritogaray chooses the films but, since a couple of years ago, he invites presenters to introduce them: Pedro Oiarzabal, Xabier Irujo, Oscar Alvarez, Emily Lobsenz, Marcia Barinaga… are some of who already did. Currently, the introduction speeches are being given by Aitor Iñarra, coordinator of NABO’s Euskara program, along with Itxaso Cayero.

Ander Egiluz Beramendi, USA. On July 25, Aitor Iñarra (Donostia-San Sebastian, 1971) will celebrate ten years since he first moved to San Francisco, CA. During this time, he worked in many different fields, among others, the movie industry, being one of his best known appearances the 2012 film Hemingway and Gellhorn, starring Clive Owen and Nicole Kidman.

Since last year, you have been presenting the Basque Films Series program at the San Francisco Basque Cultural Center. Are you enjoying the experience?

-Yes, indeed. I have total freedom to introduce the films the way I like and, since I’m more interested in the background of the story as oppose to the technical part, that is what I speak about. For instance, last year, we projected Bypass, a comedy set in Bilbao (Bizkaia) where they mention the Basque Health System, so I compared the Basque and the American systems.

- Preparing those presentations you must also be learning a lot.

I am learning a lot and people are enjoying them. Last year, before a WWII film, I talked about France and the aftermaths of the war and, since most Basques of this area are from Iparralde (the French side of the Basque Country), they really enjoyed the introduction.

- After each film, you usually talk about the film with the audience. Is it easy to make them participate?

Not really (he laughs). I have to ask them questions and make some comments before they start participating. Nevertheless, there are always people who prefer to wait until the very end to tell me something or congratulate me for the presentation.

- Some films deal with delicate issues, like politics, as will be the case on April 10, with the documentary Jostunak, which addresses the issue of the right to decide of the Basques. Is it hard to prepare this type of presentation?

It is true that many Basques in America have taken distance from the Basque conflict, but it is also true that, since ETA stopped, more voices are being heard, either in the bertsos of the bertsolaris coming from the Basque Country, or in the concerts, or lectures. It is clear that it’s not the same to introduce Bypass, a comedy, or Gazta zati bat, because the latter is more emotional. And so is Jostunak, because it approaches a beautiful topic. It is encouraging to see the Basque society in action, without so much tension. Also, I've noticed that people like to know my point of view on many topics, because I approach issues otherwise seen as distant.

- What kind of audience does the Basque Films Series attract?

The audience is very varied, although it is true that, in general, older people come to see the documentaries more often than youngsters. And, since the Basque Cultural Center is not close to downtown, this is not the typical plan for the people in the neighborhood, but rather a plan for Basques. However, we’ve had people of Russian and German origin as well. In fact, after projecting Basque swastika, I was approached by a German woman in her eighties that told me that in her cultural group they don’t organize such interesting events. It's nice to see that so different people come to the Film Series.