Hilarious, inspirational, and just a little heretical, writer-director Curro Velázquez’s feature debut stars Spanish heartthrob Alain Hernández—last seen at our Festival in The One-Eyed King—as an unorthodox Catholic priest on a mission to save a monastery by turning a motely crew of amateurs into soccer savants.

After courting controversy during his missionary work, Father Salvador is delivered to St. Theodosius, where rules are so strict even hair gel is a sin. The monastery is in financial straits, however, and about to be sold to a hotel chain. Its only hope lies with Salvador, a former fútbolista, charged with transforming some novitiates into a team good enough to win the Clerum Championship—and its considerable cash subsidy.

Riddled with unholy hi-jinx, Velásquez has crafted a divine comedy by merrily merging two of Spain’s fundamental obsessions.