Posts of the Past

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Recent Spanish Cinema: October 11 - 14, 2012



RECENT SPANISH CINEMA XVIII

 

October 11-14, 2012, at the Egyptian Theatre

Presented by the American Cinematheque in collaboration with the Instituto de la Cinematografia y de las Artes Audiovisuales (ICAA) of the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport and EGEDA (Audio-visual Producers Rights Management Association).
Join the American Cinematheque for their 18th annual showcase of the wildest, sexiest new films from Spain - on the big screen at the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood. Those who have been following Recent Spanish Cinema since its inception discovered a young Javier Bardem, the charms of Penelope Cruz and the pleasures of filmmakers Bigas Luna, Alejandro Amenabar, Iciar Bollain and Alex de la Iglesia, to name a few of the talents introduced by the series. You'll catch films plucked hot off the festival circuit, filmmakers and actors in person and a mix of work from Spain's most exciting new and established artists.
Included in this year's lineup are Spain's official 2013 Best Foreign-Language Oscar entry BLANCANIEVES, Pablo Berger's wildly imaginative reinvention of the Snow White tale starring Maribel Verdu; the 2012 Goya Best Film winner NO REST FOR THE WICKED, a searing neo-noir from director Enrique Urbizu, starring Jose Coronado; and Alberto Rodriguez's crime drama UNIT 7 and Fernando Gonzalez Molina's coming-of-age drama and romance I WANT YOU (the sequel to THREE STEPS ABOVE HEAVEN, a selection from last year's Recent Spanish Cinema), both starring Spanish star Mario Casas. Also included are Ignacio Ferreras' stunning animated feature WRINKLES, based on Paco Roca’s comic of the same title; THE WILD ONES, an elegant triptych of coming-of-age tales and winner of four awards at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival, with director Patricia Ferreira in person; and 2011's much-lauded, multiple-Goya winner THE SLEEPING VOICE, starring Maria Leon and Inma Cuesta, with director Benito Zambrano and actor Marc Clotet in person.
Additionally, the winning entry of the New Filmmakers from Spain short film contest, "Wings", will screen before the opening night film. On the three following double feature nights, a different animated short film will be shown before the second features. The three animated shorts, "Grand Prix," "O Xigante" and "Bendito Machine 4," have been selected by Andrew Crane, from a pool of films selected by DIBOOS, the Spanish Federation of Animation Producers' Associations. These projects are an authentic representation of the quality, talent and diversity in animation techniques found in Spain today.

EGYPTIAN THEATRE

Thursday, October 11 - 7:00 PM - Egyptian Theatre


tickets

BLANCANIEVES

(SNOW WHITE)
2011, 104 min.
Spain's Official 2013 Best Foreign-Language Oscar Entry! Los Angeles Premiere!
In a year when Snow White reappropriations are de rigeur, Pablo Berger's 1920s-set silent tale, offset by punchy Flamenco rhythms, is hands-down the most imaginative. Rejected at birth by her father, Carmencita (Macarena Garcia) is raised by her grandmother. But when granny dies, the poor dark-haired maiden is sent to the lower depths of her evil stepmother's villa. Maribel Verdu (Y TU MAMA TAMBIEN) gives a knockout, ingeniously campy-smart performance as the villainess, hellbent on keeping Carmencita from Prince Charming - here a bullfighting dwarf! - and thwarting her dreams of becoming a matador.
"While Michel Hazanavicius' Oscar winner [THE ARTIST] was a playful valentine to pre-talkies Hollywood, Spanish writer-director Pablo Berger's inventive Andalusian reworking of Snow White is a love letter to 1920s European silent film, liberally mixing humor and melodrama." - The Hollywood Reporter.
Introductions at 7:00 PM, with screening starting at 7:30 PM. Discussion following the feature with director Pablo Berger and actress Angela Molina. A reception for all ticket-buyers will follow!
The 8-minute short film "Wings," winner of the New Filmmakers from Spain short film contest, will screen before the feature.
"Wings"
2012, 8 min. Dir. Jose Villalobos.
A man ties in his father's job with his own in this well-crafted short.

Friday, October 12 - 7:30 PM - DOUBLE FEATURE - Egyptian Theatre

tickets
THE SLEEPING VOICE

(LA VOZ DORMIDA)
2011, 128 min, Dir. Benito Zambrano.
Los Angeles Premiere!
"Two sisters, one politically active and the other not, find themselves caught up in politics in the dark days following the Spanish Civil War... Vivid performances by attractive leads Maria Leon, who won Best Actress kudos at the San Sebastian festival, and the fiery Inma Cuesta." - The Hollywood Reporter.
"A harrowing drama that transforms the sorry plight of female prisoners in post-Civil War Spain into a bleak examination of man's inhumanity to women, THE SLEEPING VOICE magnificently tells a tale that needs to be told and retold. Shrewdly remaining mainstream while plumbing the depths of grief and violence... foreign audiences will be gripped." - Variety.
Winner of three Goya Awards (including Best New Actress for Maria Leon), and nominated for an additional six (including Best Director, Best Film and Best Supporting Actor for Marc Clotet).
In Spanish with English subtitles.
tickets
UNIT 7

(GRUPO 7)
2012, 96 min. Dir. Alberto Rodríguez.
In advance of the 1992 World Exhibition in Seville, four cops are asked to clear the streets of drug trafficking; among them are Angel (Mario Casas) and Rafael (Antonio de la Torre). But the streets they work hold both dangers and temptations, and the bribery, violence and intimidation these two men encounter on the job put them on very different paths. Strong lead performances and a nuanced script ground this stylish film noir/cop thriller, which is based on real-life incidents. UNIT 7 also benefits from outstanding cinematography, its gritty tones ramping up the intensity of the moral conflict (and some pretty spectacular chase sequences). Winner of the Goya for Best Cinematography.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Discussion between films with director Benito Zambrano (THE SLEEPING VOICE).

The 10-minute short film "O Xigante" will screen before the second film.
"O Xigante"
2012, 10 min. Dir. Lluis Da Mata.
A gorgeous creation myth come to life.

Saturday, October 13 - 7:30 PM - Egyptian Theatre

tickets
WRINKLES

(ARRUGAS)
2011, 89 min. Dir. Ignacio Ferreras.
Los Angeles Premiere!
Adapted from Paco Roca's comic book (2008 Spanish National Comic Prize), this stunning animated feature focuses on the friendship of Emilio and Miguel, two senior citizens living in a care facility. Through acerbic dialogue, this delicate tale evokes aging and friendship with humor. Winner of the Goya for Best Animated Film.
"Illuminating, amusing, sensitive and touching." - Tribune.
"The exceptional animated feature WRINKLES imaginatively and sensitively explores one of the major issues confronting most of the developed world: how to look after senior citizens in a rapidly aging population." - The Hollywood Reporter.
In Spanish with English subtitles.

tickets
I WANT YOU

(TENGO GANAS DE TI)
2012, 124 min. Dir. Fernando Gonzalez Molina.
Los Angeles Premiere!
In this sequel to THREE STEPS ABOVE HEAVEN, Hache (Mario Casas) is back in his native Spain following two years in London. After his best friend Pollo (Alvaro Cervantes) dies and his girlfriend Babi (Maria Valverde) leaves, the young man struggles with loss until he meets Gin (Clara Lago), a photographer, singer, dancer and all-around wild-child with whom he falls in love. Adapted from a Moccia novel like its predecessor, this teen melodrama employs striking visuals, epic music and great editing as it juggles sex, violence and motorcycles, with Casas' engrossing performance as the rebel Hache tying it all together. A major box office hit in Spain.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
The 10-minute short film "Bendito Machine 4" will screen before the second feature.
"Bendito Machine 4"
(2012, 10 min. Dir. Jossie Mallis.
An improbable hero embarks on a crude journey by land, sea and air, throughout all the attractions of a planet turned into a massive petrochemical park.

Sunday, October 14 - 7:30 PM - DOUBLE FEATURE - Egyptian Theatre

tickets
THE WILD ONES

(ELS NENS SALVATGES)
2012, 100 min.
Los Angeles Premiere!
Patricia Ferreira's elegant triptych of coming-of-age tales follows three teenage friends and their individual struggles to define themselves amidst hard family conditions and a seemingly indifferent society: Graffiti artist Alex (Alex Monner), ignored by his parents and faced with the mounting living expenses for an art grant he wins; kickboxer Gabi (Alberto Baro), who lives in fear of his domineering gym-owner father; and wealthy Oky (Marina Comas), who lives comfortably but without affection from her parents.

"The sins of parents and teachers are visited on their progeny and students in THE WILD ONES, a largely subtle, compassionate and perceptive take on bad education affecting a trio of Catalan teens. Helmer Patricia Ferreira's strongest work to date delivers a clear call to grownups to mend their ways, filtered through a neatly structured criss-crossing narrative... An engrossing drama as well as an urgent cry for social change."
- Variety.
Winner of Best Film, Best Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor (Monner) at the Malaga Spanish Film Festival.
In Catalan with English subtitles.

tickets
NO REST FOR THE WICKED

(NO HABRA PAZ PARA LOS MALVADOS)
2011, 114 min.
Los Angeles Premiere!
Enrique Urbizu's explosive neo-noir centers on hardened cop Santos Trinidad (Jose Coronado), an alcoholic who, after a tense bar brawl, shoots three people dead. The fourth opponent in the fight (Karim El-Kerem) makes it out alive, leaving Trinidad to track down the sole breathing witness to his impulsively heinous crime. From here, the expertly crafted crime film shifts into cat-and-mouse mode, alternating between police procedural (as investigative detective Helena Miquel pursues Trinidad) and stalker thriller as the crooked cop hunts down his incriminating prey.
Winner of the 2012 Goya Award for Best Actor, Best Director and Best Film.
In Spanish with English subtitles.
Discussion between films with director Patricia Ferreira (THE WILD ONES).
The 8-minute short film "Grand Prix" will screen before the second feature.
"Grand Prix"
(2011, 8 min). Dirs. Marc Riba, Anna Solanas.
This delightful claymation centers on two boys vying for the same girl.




For more information visit: www.larecentspanishcinema.com

American Cinematheque

Egyptian Theatre -
6712 Hollywood Boulevard, Hollywood, CA 90028


www.americancinematheque.com - 323.466.FILM -

tickets: Egyptian Theatre
find uso on: EGYPTIAN AERO --(Sid Grauman) --


No comments: