Afternoons of Solitude
By Albert Serra
2024 | 125 min | Documentary
Tradition or simply animal cruelty. Albert Serra's award-winning documentary about bullfighting polarizes opponents and supporters.
Andrés Roca Rey
ActorAndrés Raúl Roca Rey Valdéz was born on October 21, 1996, in Lima, Peru. He comes from a family deeply rooted in the bullfighting tradition — his father, uncle, and other relatives were all involved in the world of the corrida. He studied at Colegio Carmelitas in Miraflores before pursuing his passion for bullfighting.
Roca Rey made his debut in public as a novillero (young bullfighter) in 2007 and first fought with picadors on June 1, 2014, in Captieux, France. His alternativa — the ceremony marking his transition to a full matador — took place on September 19, 2015, in Nîmes, with Enrique Ponce acting as his sponsor. He confirmed his alternativa at Madrid’s prestigious Las Ventas arena on May 13, 2016.
From the start of his professional career, Roca Rey stood out for his blend of technical precision, composure, and exceptional bravery. His style is both classic and daring, marked by an unflinching closeness to the bull and a natural command of rhythm and timing. These qualities quickly made him one of the leading figures in contemporary bullfighting.
Roca Rey has led the escalafón — the ranking of matadors — multiple times, including in 2018, 2023, and 2024. His triumphs in Spain’s most demanding arenas, from Seville to Bilbao and Madrid, have earned him international acclaim and solidified his reputation as the foremost matador of his generation.
As the first Peruvian ever to reach the pinnacle of the bullfighting world, Andrés Roca Rey is a national icon in Peru and a global ambassador of the art of the corrida. His presence in the ring embodies both courage and artistry, carrying forward a centuries-old tradition with renewed passion and precision.
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