The Spanish film industry has always been one of the world’s most successful despite the Franco years when individualism and creativity was somewhat stifled. At the moment it is on a real roll producing box office acclaimed films that have broken into the English language market as well as the huge Spanish speaking market. However having said that it is estimated that only 10-20% of box office receipts in Spain are from domestic films; the public seem to prefer Hollywood block busters!
The cinema in Spain is much cheaper than in the UK and for young people or families it is still a reasonable option for an evening’s entertainment. There is even a weekly “dia de espectadores” at most cinemas when the price is reduced, often down to 4 euros a ticket. Money left over for a meal after! Another wonderful Spanish summer custom is the cines de verano. These are outdoor evening cinemas often held quite late at night so you can relax in the slightly cooler evening air whilst enjoying a film. They often have bars too!
Spanish cinema started in Barcelona which remained the centre of the film industry for decades. Some of the earliest films you may have seen on the television date from the Franco years and are classic tales of children in difficult circumstances such as “Marcelino, Pan y Vino” and all the Joselito and Marisol films.
By the sixties thing were a little less cutesy and directors like Carlos Saura produced some great films. In the eighties film really took off in the more liberal environment and today comedies , melodramas and black humour abound ,with directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Bigas Luna and Alejandro Amenabar´s works accounting for most of the industries revenue.
Bigas Luna´s classic “Jamon Jamon” was released in 1991 and starred Penelope Cruz then aged 16. The film features whorehouses, violence and is really rather “dark”. One of Amenabar´s films “Mar Adentro” or The Sea Inside won the Golden Globe for best foreign film in 2004 and the Oscar for best foreign-language film in 2005. It’s a bit of a dark film too, based on the right to take your own life but a very good introduction to modern Spanish film.
Pedro Almodovar is a favourite Spanish character always popping up in Sunday supplements and his output has been spectacular. Try Todo Sobre mi Madre from 1999 which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film or Hable Con Ella from 2001 which won an Oscar for Best Director. His latest film Volver came out last year and was nominated for a golden Globe.
Now for the actors! Penelope Cruz, who has made herself popular all over the world with her perfect Spanish beauty and talent, and who started her film career at a very tender age of 16, has matured into a fine actress. Commencing in 1991 in “El Laberinto Griego” she soon gained a following in Spain. By 1999 her talent hit a wider audience with “Todo Sobre Mi Madre” directed by Pedro Almodovar and by 2001 she was starring in blockbusters such as Captain Correlli´s Mandolin. Recent films include Volver and Bandidos in 2006. Ms Cruz is only just in her thirties so watch this space!
Antonio Banderas has also made a name for himself outside of Spain with films such as the House of Spirits (1993), Interview with Vampires (1994), Evita (1996), Shrek 2(2004), and The Legend of Zorro (2004). Banderas is a local lad and also dabbles in business-one of his successful ventures being a vineyard in the Casares area.
Javier Bardem started out in 1991 in Jamon Jamon and has won a string of awards since then. “Dias Contado” in 94 and Before Night Falls in 2000 were particularly memorable. Also watch out for Jordi Molla and Eduardo Noriega, both of whom have been called the new Banderas!
