WOKJ Spanish Film Festival

Bienvenidos! This year's Spanish Film Festival is being hosted by Dar and myself. This year, we have prepared a selection of Spanish films for fans of all types. The film selections are arranged in three groups; introductory films, readily available films (via Netflix, etc), and rare films (Harder to obtain, but well worth the watch!). We hope you enjoy, and we are here to answer as many questions we can about the following films. Enjoy!

Introductory Selections - These are the first Spanish films I watched. I suggest these for those looking for a "first taste" of Spanish Film. They are readily available in most rental stores, and especially through Netflix.


~ Abre los Ojos (1997, dir. Alejandro Amenabar) - A very handsome man finds the love of his life, but he suffers an accident and needs to have his face rebuilt by surgery after it is severely disfigured - This is Penelope Cruz flick inspired Vanilla Sky and is a superb Drama/Thriller.

~ La Mala Educacion (2004, dir. Pedro Almovodar) - An examination on the effect of Franco-era religious schooling and sexual abuse on the lives of two longtime friends - Bad Education is a shocking, fantastic picture of interest to Almodvodar and Gael Garcia Bernal fans. Perhaps the finest film of 2004, I highly recommend this for anyone who hasn't seen it

~ Amores Perros (2000, dir Alejandro González Iñárritu) - A horrific car accident connects three stories, each involving characters dealing with loss, regret, and life's harsh realities, all in the name of love - Amores Perros is a recent hit with a fine cast and a wonderful story. It's a perfect compliment to movies like Crash or Magnolia, only with a different story to tell - one of love, betrayal, and death.

~ Todo sobre mi Madre (1999, dir. Pedro Almodovar) - Young Esteban want to become a writer and also to discover the identity of his father, carefully concealed by the mother Manuela. - All About My Mother is an Academy Award winning film and is one of Almodovar's most critically praised films. It's a fine comedy/drama I recommend highly.

~ Reserved for Future List / Commentary ~

Olay! Matador!



Two of those are Almadovar! I have to say, he's somehow really risen the ranks of International reknown, and is comparable to any of the big Italian, French, Chinese, and Hong Kong directors. I find him fascinating both as a director, and reception of his movies world-wide. Maybe it's just me, but I feel as though the entire post-Franco film industry of Spain was really built up around him. I'm not all that familiar with any other director, and while I've seen many movies from Spain, they don't have name recognition to me in the same way Almodovar ones do. I'm sure part of it is stylistic and content driven, but part of it has to be industry push. They really needed big names to develope the film indistry there. In some ways, he's like De Sica was after WWII in Italy.

He's also become a producer and is assiting the next "wave" of Spanish directors to get their name out. Most recently he endorsed Lucrecia Martel in her second international release The Holy Girl. It's too bad it didn't survive its third week in expansion here, because it was quite good, and very refreshing to see more female directorial efforts. I hope he continues to encourage her, and I'd recommend to the hosts here to see Holy Girl if they can get their hands on it.

Everyone known I'm madly in love with Bad Education. All About my Mother I was not so excited about. I have not seen Amorres Perros or Open Your Eyes, but judging by what I've heard about the narrative style of Eyes, I'll pass. I think I'll focus in on Amorres Perros, since I've heard so much about it and as of yet have somehow not managed to watch it.

Spanish Film is on the Rise

Abre los Ojos is a very personal favorite of mine, but I really endorse it. Penelop Cruz is one of my favorite actresses and I want to encourage others to atleast try Abre los Ojos, even if it isn't for everyone. I would cautiously recommend it to you, Galia, based on my understanding of your style.

Dar wasn't so keen on my desire to focus a bit more on Almodovar. He is, essentially, *the* man representing all of Spanish cinema right now. Still, I don't think his name is big enough and I hope to get others interested in his work. He won't be the focus of the festival, however, because there are dozens of smaller Spanish pictures waiting to be explored! Dar and I have an extensive list of Spanish films that might not be so recognizable to KJ members, and it's my primary goal to get you and the other members interested in seeing them. I'll post the first list of those films, the one's you can easily find from Netflix, soon.

For now, here is a list of the "It" Directors representing Spanish Film to date. If you haven't heard of them by now, you can bet you'll see some of their work showing up, too!

~ Alejandro Amenabar - aforementioned for Abre los Ojos
~Juanma Bajo Ulloa
~Fernando Leon
~Alex de la Inglesia
~Marriano Barroso
~Pedro Almodovar

I'm sure dar will be on shortly to add to this list of directors!

More to follow

Recommended Selections

For those who have already sampled Spanish cinema and are interested in trying less familiar things... we recommend the following!

La cienaga (The swamp) - 2001

El día de la bestia (Day of the beast) -1995

Secretos del corazón (Secrets of the heart) - 1997

El hijo de la novia (Son of the bride) - 2001

Te doy mis ojos (Take my eyes) - 2003

Things I never told you - 1996

Los sin nombre (The nameless) - 1999

Solas (Benito Zambrano) - 1999

En la ciudad (In the city) - 2003

Tesis (Thesis) - 1996

Belle Epoque - 1992

Familia (Family) - 1996

Cachorro (Bearcub) - 2004

Krampack (Nico and Dani) - 2000

All of the above are readily available via Netflix.

Belle Epoque - hmmm under French or Spanish? It's a co-production, no?

Another sexually-charged film to win the Foreign Film Oscar. Those old Academy members are pervs! The movies they choose are either about nostalgia and lost childhood, or sex. Heh.

Influential Spanish Directors

These directors, perhaps less recognizable than directors like Almodovar, have crafted superb films worth a look. Here they are, along with two of their best films.


- Isabel Coixet - "Things I never told you", "My life without me"
- Iciar Bollain - "Flowers from another world", "Take my eyes"
- Fernando Zambrano - "Solas", "Habana blues"
- Montxo Armendariz - "Secrets of the heart", "Obaba" (Chosen yesterday as the spanish submission for the foreign language film Oscar)
- Fernando Trueba - "Belle epoque", "Shangai´s spell"
- Cesc Gay - "Krampack", "In the city"
- Miguel Albaladejo - "Manolito gafotas", "Bearcub"
- Jaume Balagueró - "The nameless", "Darkness"
- Julio Medem - "Lovers of the artic circle", "Sex and Lucia"
- Achero Mañas - "El bola", "November"
- Javier Fesser - "P. Tinto´s miracle", "Mortadelo y filemón"

In depth information on all recommended films starting with:



TAKE MY EYES

2003, Iciar Bollain

Genre: Domestic Drama

What it is about: Pilar is a terrified housewife on the run from abusive husband Antonio and his regular outbursts of violent rage. Taking refuge with her sister Ana, she tries to build a new life - but she's still in love with the man who beat her.

What It is: Think “Take my eyes” sounds trite and predictable, a Tv movie film, a Spanish version of “Enough” without the steroids? Think again. This is a movie that refuses to make the man a villain and paint a black and white picture of domestic abuse; and in which violence is hardly seen and all the terrible abusive acts are mostly psychological. And It is, above all, a love story that is actually touching and horribly moving: one in which the obstacle is not society or class, but the inner demons of a man who, like many other in a macho-cultured Spain, is unable to not hurt the ones he loves. A fantastic study of the reasons of domestic abuse, so well told that It also becomes a moving melodrama with two amazing lead performances.

What It did win: Nine nominations for the Goyas, seven wins, including best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress and Screenplay.

“One of the brightest new European films around… Lethally powerful stuff” (The guardian)

“Te doy mis ojos’ works with incredible force whilst remaining small and intimate at the same time. A small gem of a movie that deserves to be seen by many” (Europeanfilms.net)

Funny fact: Director Ician Bollain, a well known actress in Spain, recognizes her interest in social issues is in part due to the influence of director Ken Loach, whom she worked with in “Land & Freedom” (1995). Indeed, their relationship goes beyond that, as Bollain is married and has a child with Paul Laverty, Loach´s regular screenwriter.

Recommended if: You want to check out if something new can be said about an issue that has been abused itself by bad Tv movies and Jennifer Lopez.

NICO and DANI

2000, Cesc Gay

Genre: Teen Comedy/Drama

What is it about: A Spanish coming of age story focusing on the antics of two 17 year olds, who have a posh beach house almost all to themselves one summer. This is also a summer of sexual awakenings.

What is it: A coming of age flick about two Spanish teens. Nico comes to visit Dani at his beach house for a week in the summer. In the vain of Y Tu Mama Tambien, this is about finding the girl and finding yourself. It's provocative, moving, and fun. Without spoiling too much, it's about sexual discovery. Rent it!

What it got: Cannes award for Cesc Gay, 3 Goya nominations

"An exceptional coming-of-age film -- subtle, humorous, compassionate, acutely perceptive."
-- Kevin Thomas, LOS ANGELES TIMES


"A bold, amusing coming-of-age picture that serves up a far more telling depiction of contemporary adolescence than the conventional slice of American Pie."
-- Michael Rechtshaffen, HOLLYWOOD REPORTER


Recommended if: You like movies like Y Tu Mama Tambien that comment on growing up without being raunchy or over the top.

Hmmm. Take My Eyes sounds interesting too. I think I'll try to get my hands on it. As a return offering, I'd like to recommend you hosts try and watch The Official Story. If you haven't already seen it, its about abducted children during the Argentine dirty wars. Its told through the story of a woman/teacher who couldn't have a child, so years earlier her husband adopted one for her, and she was happy. They raised the child, and later when news about missing babies surfaces, she starts to worry about where her husband got their daughter. Its an interesting movie because while its condemning of the governments actions, its also not to say that the child didn't have a good life and parents who loved her. Slowly, the woman's relationships begin to evolve as she learns new information about her husband, her daughter, and has to re-evaluate her own hand in government politics because she had chosen to be sheltered and turn a blind eye. Its her awakening so to speak.

Very interesting, and one of my favorite movies.

Have you guys seen it?

Also, I know there had been menions of a film, 9 Queens, or something like that, which was supposed to be a bit like Bob Le Flambour right? Card crookery, etc?

I'd be glad to watch The Official Story, I'll put it in my Q. Thanks for the suggestion.

As for the 9 Queens, I haven't heard anything about it. Maybe dar has. I'm sure he'll pipe up.

DAY OF THE BEAST

1995, Alex de la Iglesia

Genre: Satanic comedy

What is it about: A basque priest finds by means of a cabalistic study of the bible that the anti-christ is going to be born on Christmas day in Madrid. Helped by a heavy-metal fan and by the showman of a TV esoteric program, he will try to invoke the devil to find out the place of birth and kill the baby.

What is it: Mix evil priests, gratuitous violence, satire, heavy metal, crappy TV shows, occultism, a fresh spin on an old city (Madrid), social commentary, skin heads and a virgin´s blood… and you will probably end up with a mess of a film. Thankfully, all the opposite is the case here. A small (satanic) miracle, “The day of the beast” is a film so skilful as to pull all the strings, a movie that can make you tremble, be grossed out and laugh out loud in the same scene. Vastly entertaining above all, this is a very clever and daring piece of filmmaking, and a popular classic in Spain.

What it got: 14 nominations for the Spanish Academy awards. 6 wins, including Best Director.

“**** - If Mel Brooks had directed "The Omen", it may have come out like this” (Film threat)
“This is also a howlingly outrageous comedy and frankly as original a horror film as I've seen in some time (…)To paraphrase James Ellroy, it's a film for the whole family, if the name of your family is the Charles Manson family” (Austin Chronicle)

Funny fact: This is the film that, allegedly, got director Alex de la Iglesia an offer to direct “Alien: resurrection”. He turned it down.

Recommended if: You like comedies that go beyond boundaries (taste and genre wise)

Picked up Amores Perros today! Will be watching it and an Australian film to kick off my movie watching for the event!

Nine Queens is one of the best crime/con artist type film in quite a while.

Unfortunately, (and I've complained about it before I think), the last 5 minutes or less make NO sense. Completely destroys most of the greatness leading up to it. I'd recommend it just so someone can try to coonvince me there's nothing wrong with the ending. I don't think it can be done.

It was remade, practically word for word, scene for scene last year as Criminal. Same horrid ending, though.

I liked 9 queens quite a bit. Didn´t find the ending horrible, but just as happens with all these con movies, they try to outdo themselves a few times too many. But It was fun, clever, very well acted and somehow a con film makes more sense in Argertina right now than almost anywhere else: the economic crisis has been that hard.

I think you'll enjoy it. Fantastic film.

I've picked up Lucia y el Sexo and Como agua para chocolate (Like Water for Chocolate)

It's not that the ending is horrible, but that it just doesn't make any logical sense. SPOILERS: (highlight)

In order for the young guy to be playing the old one and not the other way around, he'd have to have precognitive (er...something like that) information on where to be in the beginning. He goes into a little bar, cons some people and KNOWS he's going to get caught, and KNOWS the older guy is gonna be there to get him out. Not only that, but he goes through ALL this trouble, sets up LITERALLY the entire film, just to help the older con's sister with a bit of money problems? And not even money problems, if I recall correctly, because all of the money they get from the stamps was set up too - the stamps were fake, the stamp collecter was fake, so therefore the money was fake (or in their possesion beforhand anyway). So the only outcome of this elaborate crazy scheme, was getting the older con to not do something. Or getting the money back that he stole from his siblings (through his lawyers doing something with some inheritance). I'm a bit hazy on the details, but I know none of it made any sense. Also, why does the younger con act the way he does with the sibling (who is really like his girlfriend) when the older con/brother isnt around? To manipulate the audiance, I guess?
Anyway, up until those last few minutes, I agree with you 100 %. It's one of the better films of 2002 (or 2001? maybe 2003?) if not for the ending, which I believe murders everything before it. Maybe I missed something (HUGE) though. Dunno.

What about Bigas Luna ? He is one of the director who directed "Lumiere and Company" - it showed that he has good reputation. (Other director of "Lumiere and Company" including David Lynch, Spike Lee, Wim Wenders, Zhang Yimou, Peter Greenaway, Lasse Hallstrom, Abbas Kiarostami, etc....)

I has only seen one of his movies Jamon Jamon , and it is quite good- wild, funny and tragic. You can rent it at Blockbuster.

Oh god Amores Perros was bloody!

This is the second work I've seen by Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, and I knew there was a reason I recognized his name. I couldn't place it at first, but it was 11'09"01 - Septmeber 11th, where he was one of 11 directors who did a section (11 minutes 9 seconds and 1 frame) long refelcting Mexico and the aftermath of September 11th. It was quite interesting, and I found the project, which took about a year to complete to be more "worldly" and less activist about the experience of the shock (or lack of shock).

Anyways, back to Amores Perros, it certainly had it poignant moments, and I agmired the very claustraphobic feel. But sometimes I feel like that feel is almost formulaic in regards to Mexican cinema. Because directors try to reflect the density of the city, I've always noticed a level of violence, small interior shots, and that kind of less glossy film they use. For that reason, I actually found the middle vignette of the supermodel in the accident to be the strongest. It kept playing with my expectations. And I was deeply disturbed by the fact you could hear Richie scruffing and howling on occasion from under the floor, yet he couldn't come up. Coupled with the model's slow physical breakdown, and ultiately (in the third vignette with the assassin) when her poster comes down off the street. Its very depressing, but understated. Her (new) fiance stands by her, so it doesn't have the same sense of melodrama, and you never really see her breakdown in tears. In fact, they make-out, etc.

The least successful vignette for me was actually the first one, with Bernal. He's very good in it though. Anyone notice that even when he's not playing someone who should be all that well liked, he somehow always is? He has this certain humble, honest, look about him, that makes you sympathize with his determination even when its misguided. Case in point, how he wouldn't leave his brother's wife alone. Now, I understand his brother didn't treat her that well, but honestly, neither did he. Not respecting her space and wishes, but because he's so earnest about it, it somehow is alright, and you feel bad for him. I was really sad when he's at the bus station at the end, even though I knew how it would turn out. I was also grossly repulsed by the dog fighting, and that he would pretty much train his dog to become a killer dog. But then again, I feel so honestly about why he was doing it, that I don't hate him even though his dog goes on a killing rampage in the third vignette.

The third vignette was sad, but kind of didn't have much else going for it. I felt it was the one story that didn't transcend the actual characters in it. In that sense, it was a well told character story, but it was too important to know the details. While the other two stories commented on static economy, poverty, a sudden change in one's physical state, the third one was already too "not normal" to really resonate with me.

Also, the dogs. I understand that they were integral to the story, since there were more pictures of dogs than people practically. And I think the parallel was pretty clear between the dog fights and the physical space of the city. That exterior conditions can create very aggressive, competitive people...

Woa... that is confusing, but I´m sure you are right. What I meant is, in this "con movies" there are always doing twist after twist, to the point of being completely unbelievable. It goes with the genre, methinks, and if you get only 5 minutes of impausibility, well, that makes it one of the best con movies ever, because in others, incongruencies just keep piling up earlier on.

Reading the spoilers again You have to buy the whole "How did they know what was going to happen" due to the fact that their plan was perfect. It´s another thing that is a given in this type of films. And I seem to remember that the whole thing was done in order to get some money from the brother and, at the same time, teach him a lesson.

The only thing that bothers me, and I agree, is the fact that the characters seemed to be "acting" for the audience even when they were alone. That is crossing the line too much for me

I guess that is true. Maybe I'm overreacting towards the ending. I saw Criminal first, and I think the ending is even more obvious and outlandish there, so that mighta affected my view on Nine Queens. But...I dunno. It just seemed to be completely illogical. I defintely don't want to discourage anyone from seeing it, but...yeah. Didn't like the ending.
Hm. SPOILERS (don't feel like coloring em. don;t read if you dont want to be spoiled (though this isnt a huge one, I dont think)

First of all, I might be remembering everything I am from the English language remake...maybe they were more different than I'd thought. But here goes:

I suppose I could buy the perfect plan on the part of the younger con/sister. Maybe they knew his routine, and knew he would be going into the bar/casino where the young guy would pull the con, and assumed the rest would follow as it did. But besides the playing when they were alone (which I'm glad you agree with - it felt so manipulative, and mean :o :-( ), I thought for sure the older brother sold some inheritence out from under the sister/younger brother. Ok, maybe that doesnt make sense. While the whole thing unfolded, it seemed to me that the sister/younger brother/young con were not getting anything OUT of the conning of the brother, but rather simply breaking even. Or preventing the older brother from making some cash. Maybe I missed something, but it seems like if you're going to pull something as elaborate as that, you do it to MAKE a bunch of money, not simply break even or prevent someone else from making it. (and you have to admit: EVERYTHING in their scheme was faked, down to the newspaper artical about the wealthy stamp collector (at least I believe that to be true))

Oh well. It's definitely an enjoyable ride, despite the ending.


BTW, Zach, I also plan on seeing Like Water For Chocolate. The phrase was one of the first Spanish...whats the word? Anyway, first Spanish sayings I was taught way back when. It's also the only Spanish film I seem to be able to get. The other day, I went up and asked for it, and the guy RIGHT in front of me in line had been checking it out. Weird.

Kypade, I have yet to watch it, but Like Water for Chocolate is sitting here on my desk. I'll be sure to watch it.

I just finished Sex and Lucia... wow.... I'm pressed for time, but besides being very explicit (not that it's a bad thing), it had some of the most breathtaking cinematography in recent memory. Fantastic work.

THINGS I NEVER TOLD YOU (COSAS QUE NUNCA TE DIJE)

1996, Isabel Coixet

Genre: Indie dramedy

What it is about: Ann's boyfriend calls her from Prague. 25 days after leaving her at the airport he confess that he does not love her any more and that he is with another girl. Ann calls a phone line for desperate people finding Don at the other side of the line, a guy that seems unable to understand her problems. They meet by chance...

What It is: What gives a movie its nationality? “Things I never told you” is a movie written and directed by a Spanish first-timer, Isabel Coixet. But the actors, the setting, and the feeling of the film are pretty much American. An offbeat indie comedy, light, funny and touching, this is one of the undiscovered gems from the 90´s indie American scene. Only that It´s Spanish.

What it did win: 6 International awards, 1 nomination for the Spanish academy awards (Best screenplay)

“An engaging and meaningful narrative” Dennis Schwartz: "Ozus' World Movie Reviews"

Funny fact: The movie cost less than $300K. It was filmed in Oregon, and none of the actors (Lily Taylor, Andrew McCarthy, Alexis Arquette, Seymour Cassel, Leslie Mann) charged more than the minimum salary.

Recommended if: you want to see a good Spanish movie and don´t want to read subtitles.

THE NAMELESS (LOS SIN NOMBRE)

1999, Jaume Balagueró

Genre: Horror

What It is about: The mutilated body of a six year old girl is found in a water hole. The girl is identified as the missing daughter of Claudia. However, only two pieces of evidence could be used to identify her; a bracelet with her name on it near the crime scene, and the fact that her right leg was three inches longer than her left. All other methods of identification were removed from her body.

Five years later Claudia, now addicted to tranquilizers, receives a phone call from someone claiming to be her daughter, asking for her mother to come find her before 'they' kill her…

What It is: Pure horror, Jaume Balagueró´s first film is a morbid, terrifying film. Done in a shoestring budget but with a menacing, fantastic atmosphere provided by very likely the best Spanish cinematographer of the moment (Xavi Giménez), “The nameless” stands out specially for its ruthlessness and lack of compromise with the audience´s expectation. And, above all, a killer of an ending.

What It did win: 15 International awards, including The Silver Melies for best Fantastic European film 1999.

“This is not, by any measure, a pleasant film and it has a kind of uncompromisingly adult quality which we don’t see often enough” DVD Film UK

Funny fact: This is the movie that allowed Balagueró to afford “Darkness”, his next project. In the last one, “Fragile” he has an international cast again: Calista Flockhart, Richard Roxburgh and Gemma Jones.

Recommended if: You like your horror stylish and nasty.