The Beloved: On the red carpet with Victoria Luengo and Rodrigo Sorogoyen at London Film Festival 2026

A father-and-daughter drama starring Javier Bardem and Victoria Luengo, The Beloved is an interesting look into the intersection of artistry, family and power dynamics. Bardem plays an Academy Award-winning director who reaches out to his estranged daughter for his next project. It examines the interplay between the two individuals and how their different roles as family and co-workers impact the filmmaking process. The piece takes several risks, including separating the two leads, with their first interaction filmed through hidden cameras and microphones.

The Upcoming caught up with Luengo to discuss the challenges of working on the feature, including the initial nerves regarding working with Bardem. She praised director Rodrigo Sorogoyen and his penchant for experimentation – such as filming in black and white, shooting with both film and digital. She commented on how despite these challenges, she found herself improving her craft when working with him.

Finally, The Upcoming also spoke with the director, Sorogoyen. He talked at length about imbuing parts of himself into Bardem’s character, especially with the parallels in their jobs, and finding inspiration in his own creative sensibilities for Esteban.

Mae Trumata

Read more reviews from our London Film Festival 2026 coverage here.

For further information about the event, visit the London Film Festival website here.

Watch the trailer for The Beloved here: