Earthy. Dark. Primitive. Palaeolithic, Primaeval. Primordial. Historical. Fantastical. Mythological. These are the words that Paul Urkijo has been using to describe his intentions in his second feature-length film, an adaptation of the comic El ciclo de Irati by Juan Luis Landa and Jon Muñoz Otaegui, published by Glénat. The soundtrack (by Maite Arroitajauregi and Aránzazu Calleja, who else?) features 7th-century instruments (sackbut, serpent...). On screen, blood pacts, pagan gods, new gods, bush girls, almost Arthurian warriors. And passing across the screen, caves and woodlands, Eneko Sagardoy, Edurne Azkarate… Lighting/darkening it all: Gorka Gómez Andreu, of Errementari (2017) and Chaika (2012) fame.