The broadcast of the short film “against the tide” by the Béziers bullfighter on the 2023 season by Christian Parejo was packed at the Media Library this Saturday.
The Media Library amphitheater has never been as full as for the broadcast of Gaëtan Vidal’s 26-minute short film. The organizers were even forced to close the doors for reasons of safety and compliance with the gauge.
On the stage, we found three of the five Toros matadors from Béziers with the director known in the arena as Cayetano Ortiz, Christian Parejo, the actor of the film, and his apoderado Tomas Cerqueira.
The journey of a young Andalusian who came to realize his dream in Béziers
A standing ovation concluded the screening with superb images of Parejo performing in the bullrings of Madrid, Pamplona and Béziers. But the public also appreciated the intimate moments where the local aficion discovered the personality of Christian Parejo who hides behind the determined and courageous maestro on the ruedo and a polite smile in civilian clothes which recalls his shyness.
“Against the Current” retraces the unusual journey of a young Andalusian who emigrates to France to realize his dream of becoming a bullfighting matador. The exact opposite path of young French people who often take the road to Seville or Salamanca to satisfy their ambition.
Discussions were then organized with the two hundred spectators on the making of the film and Christian Parejo and his apoderados, Tomas Cerqueira and Olivier Margé. They welcomed a “very positive first matador season with around ten bullfights, triumphs in Istres, Saint-Gilles, Guadalix de la Sierra and Châteaurenard, important ears in Bayonne and Béziers and the successful bet of a very rapid confirmation of an alternative to Madrid ».
For 2025, the ambition of the adopted Biterrois is to go beyond ten paseos by returning to the arenas where he triumphed last year and by opening the doors to other ferias. “ Returning to San Isidro and confirming the alternative to Nîmes are two important ambitions, as are presenting yourself as a matador in the other first category arenas in France after Bayonne and Béziers. detailed Tomas Cerqueira at the end of the conference.
After thanking the aficionados for their mobilization, the president of Peña Parejo, Emmanuel Olacia, was pleased that his association supporting the bullfighter exceeded 150 members to date.
