Finding Altamira

In 1879 northern Spain, a young girl named Maria and her devoted father Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola stumble upon paintings tucked inside a cave in Cantabria that hint at a distant, prehistoric world. The film follows their growing fascination with these images and the steps they take to document them, from sketches on soot-streaked walls to early attempts at dating the art. As word spreads, scientists, clergy, and neighbors react with awe and doubt, testing the father daughter bond and their faith in what they can prove. The story centers on curiosity, perseverance, and a family caught between hope and scrutiny. It also looks at the toll on the family as rumors swirl and the town weighs whether the discovery will bring fame or backlash.

Directed by Hugh Hudson, Finding Altamira (2016) recounts the historic Altamira discovery, with Antonio Banderas portraying Marcelino Sanz de Sautuola and Golshifteh Farahani as Conchita. The production blends archival sensibilities with a dramatized look at how a village confronts a game-changing find.

Box office figures are not widely reported, and the film received a modest release in several markets. It attracted a niche audience overseas and through limited screenings, without a broad commercial push or heavy advertising.

The film shines a light on one of archaeology's pivotal moments, offering a human lens on a landmark discovery. While it did not spark a global movement, it contributes to discussions about art's origins and the way caves enter public memory, inviting viewers to imagine the debate that followed.

Critics described a restrained drama that centers on the push and pull between science and belief, the devotion of a father and daughter, and the loneliness of a breakthrough meeting skepticism from institutions. It offers a quiet reminder that art can reshape a community's future for generations to come.