The morning at Filmin’s Barcelona office started with an unpleasant surprise: the building’s facade was covered with slogans accusing the company of collaborating with the Spanish authorities. The incident came in the wake of recent outrage on social media after the release of a documentary featuring national police officers recounting the events of 2019, linked to the protests following the verdict in the Catalan procés case.
Spray-painted on the office wall was the phrase: ‘Filmin: collaborators with Spanish repression.’ Photos of the defaced facade quickly spread online, sparking a wave of debate. One of the company’s founders, Jaume Ripoll, did not hide his disappointment when commenting on the situation on social media. Despite the incident, Filmin does not plan to contact the police regarding the act of vandalism.
Outrage erupts
The controversy began with the release of the documentary ‘Ícaro: la ciudad en llamas’ on the platform, in which police officers share their perspective on the unrest in Barcelona in the fall of 2019. The film provoked a sharp reaction among some Catalan viewers, for whom these events remain a painful subject. A boycott campaign against Filmin gained momentum on social media, with users urging others en masse to cancel their subscriptions.
Filmin has not disclosed how many users have actually left the platform. Company representatives say they are monitoring the situation and are not yet ready to share specific numbers. Meanwhile, the debate around the film continues: some are demanding its removal from the catalogue, while others defend the right to diverse points of view.
Company’s position
Filmin issued an official statement stressing that hosting the film does not mean endorsing its content. The platform does not intend to censor works on ideological grounds but acknowledges it understands the outrage of part of its audience. The company notes that, for many in Catalonia, the events of 2019 remain an open wound.
Despite the pressure, Filmin has no intention of backing down or removing the controversial film. Company leadership believes the platform’s mission is to provide a space for different voices to be heard, even if this triggers strong emotions. This stance commands respect, but also sparks new conflicts.
Traces of vandalism
Graffiti that appeared on the office facade was signed with the initials NS—an abbreviation for Nosaltres Sols!, a radical Catalan organization known for its online and street activism. Next to the tag was a black independence flag, a symbol of the movement. The group Nosaltres Sols! emerged after the 2019 protests and unites young supporters of Catalan independence.
In response to Jaume Ripoll’s post, representatives of Nosaltres Sols! stated they would not leave unpunished those whom they believe insult the victims of the 2019 events. The movement’s leader, David Silvestre, is very active on social media, especially on TikTok, where he has a significant following.
Public response
The scandal surrounding Filmin is yet another reminder of how deeply issues related to protests and the role of the police continue to resonate in Catalonia. For some, the documentary offers an alternative perspective on the events; for others, it is an unacceptable legitimization of repression. The act of vandalism at the company’s office has only fueled the controversy.
While Filmin remains calm and refuses to yield to radical demands, tensions around the platform persist. It is clear that the conflict between supporters of independence and those who favor Spain’s unity is far from resolved. Every new flashpoint, whether a film release or a protest action, only intensifies the polarization in society.
