12th septembre 2026 (3) RM Thoughts on *CRONOS* (Fiction Based on True Events)

  

12^th septembre 2026 RM

Thoughts on *CRONOS* (Fiction Based on True Events)

A week has passed since the premiere of the film *CRONOS*, and opinions have varied according to individual tastes. I have received many calls recently asking for my take on the movie, and I believe that—to clarify matters—I can still share my opinion here on this blog, presenting the information chronologically.

Contact with the *CRONOS* producers began during filming, which took place on Ronda Sant Antoni because La Rambla was undergoing construction work at the time. It took me only a moment to grasp the concept: a work of fiction based on true events.

Communication was ongoing, and eventually, we reiterated a proposal UAVAT had previously made regarding the three-part Netflix series *800 Meters*: a pre-screening for victims and their companions prior to the official launch.

We at UAVAT reached out to many victims of the August 2017 attacks. Despite it being a weekday afternoon—Wednesday, September 2nd, at 6:30 PM—more than a hundred people attended the screening at Cinema Girona (and, incidentally, I would like to thank our friend Toni Sarmiento and his team once again for their wonderful hospitality).

After the screening, we held a lively discussion among the victims and attendees; we listened to the victims' views and provided technical details regarding the filming and editing of *CRONOS*, as well as explaining the rationale behind certain scenes included in the movie.

I must say that not a single victim present expressed a negative opinion about the film, although there was a consensus that one specific image had been hurtful to several of them: the scene involving the hose at the Miró Mosaic. Was it unnecessary? Yes. Finally, several victims and their companions had the opportunity to share their thoughts directly with two members of the *CRONOS* production team, who listened attentively and fully accepted their feedback. During the subsequent discussion, a very important topic was also addressed—one that, judging by opinions published in various media outlets, had not been clearly understood, particularly by those who commented without having seen the film. Some people raise complaints or express views that they might well have spared themselves had they actually watched the movie.

I have taken the liberty of presenting some information on this matter.

It is said that the film was shot in Spanish.

That is not true; *CRONOS* was shot in Catalan—except for a few sequences where Spanish is spoken, and anyone who has seen the film understands the reasons and context for this. It is not difficult to understand that specific language switch.

Some people argue that the figure of the Imam of Ripoll is not discussed.

To understand much of the film, one must realize that the narrative focuses on "the police investigations during the 124 hours following the attacks"; consequently, during those 124 hours, there was not yet much clear information regarding the Imam of Ripoll. In fact, the investigation into the remains found at the house in Alcanar was far from complete.

By the way, for those who haven't seen the film, here is a minor "spoiler": the Imam of Ripoll is mentioned twice, with the statement that he is "dead—allegedly."

Let those who wish to understand, understand.

Does *CRONOS* not speak about “the” victims?

I have no doubt that many people who say that haven’t seen the film. The passage of time has shown that when the August 17th attacks are discussed, the vast majority of people remember the event through the murderous vehicle attack on La Rambla... a few others also recall the criminal vehicle attack and subsequent assault in Cambrils... but very, very, very few remember the murder of Pau Pérez in the University Zone, and no one remembers what happened that same Monday, August 21st, in Olérdola—shortly before the killer, Abouyaqoub, was shot dead.

To those who claim *CRONOS* doesn’t speak about “the” victims, I would simply point out that the film explains what happened to both victims—Pau Pérez and Montserrat Durán—precisely the victims forgotten by almost everyone who weighs in on the subject. And it is an honor to say that Pau Pérez’s family gave their permission for this to be included...

I also want to recall that the first official list of victims from the August 17th attacks did not appear until October 2018. Yes, 2018. Therefore, there was little scope to speak about “the” victims during those first 124 hours when there wasn’t even an official list or a reasonably accurate identification of individuals—precisely the issue UAVAT has been denouncing since our inception, and one that is perfectly reflected in the film as well as in the May 2021 court ruling: did any member of the State Security Forces and Corps actually identify a single victim? Were their details requested once the lockdown was lifted? For those unaware, there are numerous hospital admissions where the listed reason is “VEHICLE STRIKE,” “ACCIDENTAL FALL,” or “HUMAN CRUSH”... yet in many cases, “TERRORIST ATTACK” does not appear.

*CRONOS* also serves to highlight these errors, which we hope will soon be reviewed and corrected by the relevant authorities.

Some people feel that the CNI—and its connection to the events—is missing from the picture.

It is true that many people are pointing out the lack of discussion regarding the CNI, and they are absolutely right. To understand this, one must remember that *CRONOS* focuses on the police investigation during the 124 hours following the attacks... and the CNI does not (yet) feature in that timeframe.

That said—and without wishing to give away any spoilers—you really shouldn't miss the footage of the second parallel operations desk... let me know what you think once you’ve seen it. Many of those who currently hold one opinion will likely change their minds later.

Actor Enric Auquer made statements that offended the victims of the August 17 attacks.

It is true; the statements made by Enric Auquer—the film's lead actor—hurt many victims of the August 17 attacks, as well as victims of other attacks. They also upset citizens who are familiar with the details of the attacks, even if they were not victims themselves.

It would have been better if those statements had never been made. But once made, they could have been clarified or nuanced.

Now, an important detail: did Enric Auquer apologize to the victims? Yes, through private contact. That much is on the record.

Many people have called for a boycott of *CRONOS* because of the lead actor's statements.

In my view, it would have been better if those statements hadn't been made. However, while discussing the matter with one of the victims of the La Rambla attack, they shared a reflection—one echoed by all the other victims I’ve spoken to: millions upon millions of us have watched *The Ten Commandments*, *Ben-Hur*, *Planet of the Apes*, *The Big Country*, and *The Agony and the Ecstasy*... yet no one was concerned about Charlton Heston’s ideology until his death in 2008... did anyone ever propose boycotting his films? If *Ben-Hur* is shown on TV again tomorrow (for the umpteenth time), will anyone call for a boycott of the channel or platform because of the lead actor's personal views?

The film has done absolutely nothing for the victims; in fact, it is an attack on them.

To begin with, I have spoken to all the victims who attended the screening, as well as many others who—due to scheduling conflicts or travel issues—were unable to make it to Cinema Girona on Wednesday, September 2nd. Not a single one expressed anger, annoyance, outrage, or any objection to the film—with the sole exception of the aforementioned image showing the hose at Pla de l’Os. 

What many of them *did* tell me, however, was that they hadn't stopped to consider the immense investigative effort undertaken by state security forces to bring the nightmare to an end on Monday, August 21, 2017, in a vineyard in Subirats... and that, having seen the film, they are grateful to have this information. This sentiment is shared by many other citizens who have watched the movie.

As an example, I am including a photograph taken from a local television program, BAGATELEVISIO. Once Jordi Moreno contacts me, I will provide the link to the full documentary.

It is said that the film *CRONOS* was financed with nearly 6 million euros from companies with strong ideological leanings.

It is curious that there is talk about the film's cost without first asking what the actual production expenses were. It is clear to me that an enormous amount of work went into location scouting, securing permits, and the actual production of *CRONOS*.

As for the issue of ideological leanings... I repeat: one needs to watch the scenes featuring the investigative team, the discussion regarding the *alleged* death of the Ripoll Imam, and the glances exchanged between the Mossos police officers and the relatives of the La Rambla terrorist... and I will leave it at that, lest I be accused of "spoiling" the film.

 

To conclude, I have a proposal for those who have spoken about *CRONOS* without even seeing it—criticizing its quality or its intent: why not launch a crowdfunding campaign to make the film *you* wanted to see? For my part, I will provide all the information contained in the case file's more than 68,000 pages and the 1,017 pages of the court ruling. Furthermore, I guarantee the cooperation of any victims whose help might be needed, including those who attended the preliminary session on Wednesday, September 2nd.