Eire Cid’s ‘The Imaginary Kings’ Premieres at ECAM Incubator
Eire Cid’s first feature, ‘The Imaginary Kings’, made its debut at the Madrid Film School’s 9th Incubator program, presenting a raw look at male youth culture in Vigo. The film blends fluorescent visuals, gritty urban beats, and a coming‑of‑empathy narrative to challenge toxic masculinity. With sup…
By Felo News Desk · Published
At the 9th Incubator program hosted by the Madrid Film School (ECAM), five projects vied for attention, but none captured the spotlight quite like Eire Cid’s debut feature, The Imaginary Kings (Spanish title: Los Reyes Imaginarios). The film, which centers on the turbulent lives of male urban youth, was unveiled to a packed audience of industry professionals, students, and film enthusiasts.
What the Film Is About
The story follows Rude, a tattooed teenager who lives with his father in a working‑class neighborhood in Vigo, a port city in northwestern Spain. Rude is a sensitive yet volatile character, embodying a masculinity that is both aggressive and fragile. After the sudden death of his best friend, El Rubio, Rude spirals into a world of trap music, betting, fights, porn, and poppers. When he falls for Valeria, a new love interest, she brings him happiness but also forces him to confront the grief that has been haunting him. According to Cid, Rude’s journey is a “coming‑of‑empathy” story, a path toward understanding his own pain and vulnerability.
“It is an irreverent and visceral project, with a stylized, anti‑naturalistic aesthetic. Fluorescent, dirty and sexy, heavily influenced by urban culture,” Cid told Variety. The film’s visual language is deliberately bright and gritty, reflecting the chaotic energy of the city and the internal turmoil of its protagonist.
Development Journey
The project has a long and varied development history. It first appeared in the 4th Edition of the Film Academy’s Rueda Program, then moved on to the inaugural incubation and development program at the Madrid University School of Arts TAI. It also participated in the Navarra Residency, the AGAG Mentorship Program for Women Screenwriters, and the CREA Conecta Lab. Throughout this process, the script was refined with guidance from acclaimed filmmakers and writers such as Alberto Guntín, Belén Funes, Lola Mayo, Albert Serra, and Silvia Herreros de Tejada.
Producer Bea Villar of Brava, who co‑produced the film, emphasized that the project is “primarily for teenagers whose stories are rarely told.” She praised Cid for stepping outside her comfort zone to tackle a subject that is often ignored. “From the beginning, Eire and I shared the same goal: to connect with young people at a time when dangerous ideas about what it means to be a man are resurfacing and to open a dialogue around them,” Villar said.
Why Vigo Matters
The choice of Vigo as the setting is intentional. Like many European port cities, Vigo has experienced the decline of its shipbuilding industry, leaving a legacy of frustrated, working‑class masculinity. The city’s industrial backdrop—port cranes, betting shops, and bars—provides a stark visual and thematic contrast to the film’s exploration of male identity. Villar notes that the city’s heritage is an “intergenerational burden” that shapes the characters’ lives.
In addition to its cultural significance, Vigo’s atmosphere offers a realistic backdrop for the film’s gritty narrative. The city’s working‑class neighborhoods, with their mix of old factories and new social spaces, mirror the film’s themes of change, resilience, and the search for empathy.
Upcoming Production Plans
Filming is slated to begin in late 2025, with the production team set to return to Vigo for on‑location shoots. The film will be shot in a mix of studio and on‑location settings to capture both the raw energy of the city and the intimate moments of the characters. The production will also collaborate with local talent and crew, further rooting the project in its community.
What’s Next?
After its debut at ECAM’s incubator, the film will seek distribution partners and festival placements. The team hopes to showcase the film at major European festivals, where it can reach a wider audience and spark conversations about toxic masculinity and the challenges faced by urban youth. The production team is also exploring potential streaming deals, aiming to make the film accessible to a global audience.
As the film moves forward, the creators remain focused on delivering an authentic, emotionally resonant story that invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of masculinity in contemporary society.
Key facts
- Eire Cid’s debut feature explores male urban angst in Vigo
- The film blends fluorescent visuals with gritty urban culture
- Rude’s journey toward empathy after a friend’s death
- Vigo’s industrial decline frames the story’s themes
- Production slated for late 2025 with local talent
- Film seeks festival and streaming distribution
Why it matters
By spotlighting the often‑overlooked experiences of male teenagers in industrial cities, the film challenges prevailing narratives about masculinity and encourages a broader conversation about empathy and vulnerability.
Frequently asked questions
What is the film’s central theme?
The film tackles toxic masculinity and the struggle for empathy among urban youth.
Where will the film be shot?
The production will take place in Vigo, Spain.
When is filming scheduled to start?
Filming is planned for late 2025.
Who produced the film?
Bea Villar of Brava co‑produced the film.
What development programs supported the project?
The film was part of the Rueda Program, TAI’s incubation, Navarra Residency, AGAG Mentorship, and CREA Conecta Lab.
Sources
- [1] variety.com — originally reported as “‘Fluorescent, Dirty and Sexy’: Eire Cid’s ‘The Imaginary Kings’ Presented at Madrid Film School (ECAM) Incubator”
