The Madman and The Cathedral

In 1963, Don Justo Gallego Martinez laid the foundation stone of a cathedral. A peasant, with no architectural training, no construction experience and no tools, he turned his back on the fields and started building. He had no blueprints and no planning permission. He had not even seen many cathedrals. All he had was the unshakeable conviction that God wanted him to build a cathedral. 50 years later, he is still building. Filmed over 5 years, this short documentary was funded by Britdoc. It was shown on TV channels and at film festivals around the world and showcased by Channel 4 as one of "16 documentaries to watch before you make one."

Directed by Ana Torrijo, The Madman and The Cathedral leans on a strong ensemble — Ernesto Arias, José Luis Torrijo, Celia Pérez — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about screen titles of 2021.