RECENT SPANISH CINEMA XVI
October 14 – 17, 2010, at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood
Presented in collaboration with the Instituto de la Cinematografía y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA) of the Spanish Ministry of Culture and EGEDA - Filmotech.
With the support of Embassy of Spain in Washington, Spain USA Foundation, Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles, Tourist Office of Spain in Los Angeles, Promoción Madrid (Madrid City Council) and E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America).
Sponsored by Lladró, Codorniú, Bodegas Terras Gauda y Viña Zaco.
One of the Cinematheque's most anticipated foreign film series is finally here. The detailed schedule with dates and times will be posted by October 1st. Below are the names of the films we will present, with an opening night slot reserved for the yet-to-be-announced official Spanish entry for Best Foreign Language Film Oscar! Join us to meet the next generation of Spanish stars and directors. Back in 1994 when the series began, a young unknown Spanish actor named Javier Bardem was our special guest!
Spanish cinema continues to attain a broader international market by embracing slick genre films, emotional dramas and box office winners that win critical acclaim both at home and abroad. This year’s selection of recent Spanish cinema focuses on a new generation of filmmakers, while highlighting performances by both seasoned veterans and talented newcomers in roles that demonstrate their strength and versatility. Don’t miss one of Spain’s most vibrant actors, Luis Tosar, as the delectable Bad Mother in Daniel Monzón’s box office hit CELDA 211. Lola Dueñas in Alvaro Pastor’s and Antonio Naharro’s YO, TAMBIÉN, alongside newcomer Pablo Pineda, garnered the Goya for Best Actress and both won accolades at the 2009 San Sebastian International Film Festival. Alberto Rodriguez’s AFTER showcases the talents of Blanca Romero, who received a nomination for Best New Actress at the 2010 Goyas. Emilio Aragon’s directorial debut, PÁJAROS DE PAPEL, pairs Imanol Arias and Lluís Homar as a comedy duo in a vaudeville troupe in post-civil war Spain. Oskar Santos directs EL MAL AJENO, starring Eduardo Noriega in a “snappishly contempo morality tale [that] is satisfyingly breathless and twisty,” raves Jonathan Holland of Variety. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo directs a stellar ensemble cast in GORDOS, a comedy that received seven nominations at the 2010 Goyas, with one win for Raúl Arévalo in the Best Supporting Actor category. Director Laura Maña’s second feature LA VIDA EMPIEZA HOY stars the ever-delightful Rosa Maria Sarda as an unconventional teacher of a senior citizen sex education class. All films in Spanish with English subtitles.
In addition to the lineup, we will screen the winning entries from the Recent Spanish Cinema XVI Student Short Film Contest, a competition for Spanish film students living in Los Angeles.
Join us for our Spanish Cinema opening night event, with Spain’s official selection for the 2011 Foreign-Language Film Oscar (film TBA in early October). Also, a celebratory bash will take place in the Egyptian Courtyard after the screening!
Actors and director will be joining us for the weekend – check our website for update.
Series compiled by Gwen Deglise with the assistance of Soledad González and Elvira Cano. Program notes by Noelia Saenz.
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Thursday, October 14 – 7:30 PM
Join us for our Spanish Cinema opening night event, with Spain’s official selection for the 2011 Foreign-Language Film Oscar (film TBA in early October). Also, a celebratory bash will take place in the Egyptian courtyard after the screening! Please check our website for details.
Friday, October 15 – 7:30 PM
The schedule for the weekend will be posted October 1, as soon as Spain’s official selection for the 2011 Foreign-Language Film Oscar is announced, Please check our website for details. The selection includes the following films (plus a few surprises!):
The selection will include:
L.A. Premiere! EL MAL AJENO, 2010, Mod Producciones, 107 min. Dir. Oskar Santos. After a near fatal shooting, Diego (Eduardo Noriega), an emotionally distant doctor, discovers he mysteriously possesses the ability to heal with a touch of his hands. This ability proves life-affirming, but with unforeseen consequences for Diego and his patients. Screen Daily describes this beautifully executed film as “an intriguing emotional and psychological drama.”
Trailer | Official Website
CELDA 211, 2009, IFC Films, 113 min. Dir. Daniel Monzón. After an on-the-job accident that renders him unconscious, Juan Oliver (Alberto Ammann), a rookie prison guard, finds himself locked inside cell 211 during a prison riot. To ensure his survival, Juan masquerades as a new prisoner and finds himself under the wings of Malamadre, aka Bad Mother (Luis Tosar), the prison riot leader. “The film won eight Goya Awards, the Spanish Oscars, this year. It deserves them.” – Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Trailer | Official Website
L.A. Premiere! GORDOS, 2009, Cinemien, 110 min. Dir. Daniel Sánchez Arévalo. Stories and lives are intertwined in a group therapy session for fat people, led by thin therapist Abel (Roberto Enriquez). The participants include a now fleshier former spokesman for a weight-loss supplement; a jovial crime investigator; and a woman engaged to a thin and devoutly religious man. Don’t miss what Variety called “a daring, refreshingly fleshy take on society’s obsession with appearances”!
Trailer | Official Website
U.S. Premiere! LA VIDA EMPIEZA HOY, 2010, Ovideo TV, 90 min. Dir. Laura Maña. Olga (the ever-delightful Rosa Maria Sarda) teaches a sex education class to a group of senior citizens. “A lively, sympathetic script brought to bubbling life by fine perfs, agile scripting and a shot of social critique.” – Jonathan Holland, Variety.
Trailer | Official Website
U.S. Premiere! PAJAROS DE PAPEL, 2010, Hispano FoxFilms, 110 min. Dir. Emilio Aragon. A traveling vaudeville troupe struggles to stay afloat despite economic hardships in post-civil war Spain. Jorge del Pino (Imanol Arias), a former member of the resistance, and Enrique Corgo (Lluis Homar), a closeted homosexual, play a comedy duo who take in a feisty but lovable orphan named Miguel (Roger Princep). “A zesty celebration of those who entertain us,” – Variety
Trailer | Official Website
L.A. Premiere! YO, TAMBIEN, 2009, Olive Films, 103 min. Dir. Alvaro Pastor & Antonio Naharro. A recent university graduate with Down syndrome, Daniel (Pablo Pineda), falls in love with coworker Laura (Lola Dueñas, winner of the 2010 Goya for Best Actress), a woman battling her inner demons. This touching tale focuses on Daniel’s quest to develop a romantic relationship with Laura and raises the contentious issue of sexuality and love within the Down syndrome community.
Trailer | Official Website
U.S. Premiere! AFTER, 2009, La Zanfona Producciones, 116 min. Dir. Alberto Rodriguez. Three soon-to-be middle-aged friends reunite for one drug- and alcohol-fueled night of debauchery in Seville. Nominated for three Goyas, including Best Screenplay and Best Cinematography. “This is acid noir with a flashy surface.” – Robert Koehler, Variety
Trailer | Official Website