Marbella Town Hall has announced to organize a screening of the documentary film entitled “La mirada de Ouka Leele” (The look of Ouka Leele), the 2010 finalist for the Goya Awards in the category Mejor Película Documental (Best Documentary). The director of the movie Rafael Gordon will attend this special screening scheduled for March 11th (Thursday) in the hall of the Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings.

The film portrays the life and work of Spanish painter and photographer Barbara Allende (the real name of artist Ouka Leele), born in June 1957 in Madrid. The artist herself once said that photography is “visual poetry, a way of talking without using words”. And in the same sense, the film discusses how to develop the creativity of a genius, passion and struggle in the mind, painting and photography.

Barbara’s artistic career coincides with the beginning of a cultural revolution in Spain that went beyond music with experimentation in all kinds of art forms. The creation of a 240 square meters mural from start to finish in the village of Ceuti Murcia is the best work to unify memories and sketches of 40 years long work of this artist. In the words of Gordon Raphael, “Undoubtedly, this is the work of a genius, a remarkable woman but that word is not used.”

Black and white photographs, coloured paintings and serigraphs are some of her signature style works. However, when she started to create something new in the early years of her career she began taking black and white photographs and then painted water colours on them, which is still one of the vital characteristics of her work.

Time has elapsed since those beginning but this short documentary is an attempt to put light on the real life and work of this artist by featuring family photo albums and the making of the huge mural for the city of Murcia.

The soundtrack is provided by Eva Gancedo, the long time associate of Raphael Gordon, while the photography is done by July Madurga who has masterfully managed to reflect the universe and colours so personal to Ouka Leele throughout his work.

Director, Gordon Raphael, a product of the School of Dramatic Art, began his illustrious career as an actor in “The Shoe Prodigiosa”, directed by Alfredo Manas. In 1968 he founded ‘Productions Rafael Gordon’ and under this banner he produces, writes and directs his own short films and feature films in 35mm over almost four decades. He has produced and directed several award winning short films, and this one too comes to the same bracket.

Venue: Museum of Contemporary Spanish Engravings
Date & Time: Thursday, March 11th, at 22.00hrs
Admission: Free of charge
Direction: Located in Marbella’s historic city centre