Álvaro Torrellas

Born 1979, Santander (Spain). He left Santander at the age of fifteen for Orange, Massachusetts (USA), where he graduated in 1998 at the Ralph C. Mahar High School. In 1999 he began studying journalism at the San Pablo CEU University in Madrid. In his fourth college year, he studied at the Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich (Germany). The year after, in 2004, he returned to Madrid to obtain his journalism degree. From 2004 to 2005 he combined a Master’s degree in Production with film, publicity and television production jobs. In 2011 he created his own production company, La Fábrika Films. THREE MINUTES is his first feature film as a director.

Director’s statement

“Stories. Good stories. And the characters that are their vehicle. That is what every producer and every director are always looking for. In January of 2010, I started to box in the gym of Marquitos, the son of Antonio’s. A week later, I met El Bigotes. At that moment I found one of those stories and one of those characters. A few moments after I met him, I realized he is a special person. One of those persons who look in your eyes with their truth and their philosophy. In his gym, he teaches you how to box, but also respect, trust and cooperation. Bigotes was able to create a place where everyone feels part of a family, of a home. A place where you are treated like a boxer, and where you are never judged or classified for any reason”.
“My aim with THREE MINUTES is to show the particular philosophy of Antonio and the heart of his gym. A true model of equality, understanding and respect. And to show how his whole family is embarking on the struggle to help the others with this sport”.