‘He has been angry for centuries’ – a line Ramón discloses about a ghost he hears. Directed by Shervin Kermani and filmed in La Palma, Spain, in this docufiction film we meet Ramón (Pedro Moisés Herrera Concepción) who has a history of being slightly too obsessed with discovering ghosts. He walks the island armed with ghost hunting equipment. On a land previously struck by lava from a volcanic eruption, Ramón attempts to discover ghosts amongst the now desolate arid land and haunting waves.
Ramón Who Speaks to Ghosts showcases at the SXSW London 2026 Screen Festival under the ‘Shorts: Distant Voices’ collection. In his voiceover narration, Ramon tells us of the personal connection behind his ghost hunting and where it all began – with the passing of his grandmother. Straight from the beginning we feel a sense of empathy for Ramón. We learn his interest could stem from his search for a place of belonging. His loneliness is felt through the screen as he seemingly confides more in ghosts than living beings.
Alongside his ghost hunting equipment – his radio and boom microphone, he listens to the stories of long-lost souls. But Ramón makes sure their stories are no longer left behind in history. Documenting the stories he hears in their whispers witnesses him even discover a ghost of a pirate circa to the 1761 eruption. He experiences their emotions – from love to loss. Ramón doesn’t just listen but fully immerses himself into their stories.
Living For Their Past
Calming shots near the sea and seagulls squawking mix with the sound of piano keys. We hear from other subjects as they tell how Ramón is perceived as being irrational for his beliefs. But from everything that has since been lost from the lives to their homeland – it’s no wonder Ramón makes it his mission to recover their stories which would otherwise be lost in time.
Over-the-shoulder shots of Ramón sees him really envision the ghosts and their stories. One scene sees him move his head from side-to-side as he imagines ghosts playing tennis on an abandoned court. His best friend is a ghost named Paulino. Throughout Ramón Who Speaks to Ghosts we question if there is a deeper meaning behind his purpose. Is he living for their stories or to become less lonely in his own? But if what he is discovering is not real, his imagination is extremely intense and creative to invent their detailed life stories.
Searching For Stories
However, we also see another point of view. From the perspective of a local – she believes Ramón’s findings. He can still hear the notes from a piano which is buried deep beneath the lava as she overlooks a desolate plain where houses once filled the land. The camera pans out to reveal the remains of rubble. It becomes clearer that Ramón is searching for the stories behind those who have perished.
For a short documentary, made under the mentorship of filmmaker Werner Herzog and cinematographer Peter Zeitlinger, director Kermani creates a rather calming atmosphere around Ramón. The film plays in two ways. In one sense we could see Ramón as superficial to believe in such happenings. Whereas on the other hand, we could see that he is being caring to stop and listen to the ghosts and their life stories.
Ramón Who Speaks To Ghosts is part of Filmotomy’s coverage on SXSW 2026 London Screen Festival. You can read our other recent film reviews, including British crime-thriller, Fuze (2026) here.
Rating: 3 ½ Stars
