Film CIUDAD SIN SUEÑO (SLEEPLESS CITY) by Guillermo Galoe

Spain, France 2025/ Director: Guillermo Galoe/ 97 min. OmeU

CIUDAD SIN SUEÑO tells the story of 15-year-old Toni, who lives with his Roma family in the Cañada Real, Europe’s largest illegal slum on the outskirts of Madrid. The film opens up a view of a deeply rooted
community whose cohesion is expressed in its way of life, values and myths. Ignored by the outside world for decades, the land suddenly becomes of interest to speculators and investors and the existence of the inhabitants is threatened. With a haunting, atmospheric camera, Guillermo Galoe captures the beauty, narrowness and threat of Toni’s world and at the same time shows the painful loss of a communal life that is in danger of disappearing. Carried by young amateur actors who play with great naturalness.

Guillermo Galoe, born in Madrid, is a filmmaker whose works have been shown in Cannes and San Sebastián, among others. For his short film AUNQUE ES DE NOCHE and his documentary FRÁGIL EQUILIBRIO, he received a Goya, Spain’s most prestigious film award. His feature film debut CIUDAD SIN SUEÑO, celebrated its world premiere at the Semaine de la Critique in Cannes in 2025, where it was awarded the SACD prize for best screenplay.

On 03.02. there will be a film talk with director Guillermo Galoe afterwards!
WITH INTRODUCTION ON 05.02.: Dr. Radmila Mladenova, Department of History at Heidelberg University – Antiziganism Research Centre