The Spanish Institute for Film and Audiovisuaul Arts (ICAA) a part of the Ministry of Culture, together with the American Cinematheque and EGEDA announce the 16th edition of Recent Spanish Cinema series that it is going to showcase the most outstanding recent Spanish films at the Egyptian Theatre in Los Angeles, October, 14th – 17th.
This 2010 series will be kicked off with the special opening premiere of the official Spanish Entry for Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards 2011, TAMBIÉN LA LLUVIA (EVEN THE RAIN) directed by Icíar Bollaín and starring Gael García Bernal and Luis Tosar.
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.
Not to be missed is one of Spain’s current most vibrant actors, Luis Tosar leading the revolt of his fellow prison inmates in Daniel Monzón’s box office hit CELDA 211. LOPE, by brazilian director Andrucha Waddington, which just opened in Spain, brings to the screen the passionate life of one of the most famous Spanish playwriters, Lope de Vega , in Madrid during the late 16th-century. Lola Dueñas in Alvaro Pastor’s and Antonio Naharro’s YO, TAMBIÉN, alongside with 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 Sardá as an unconventional teacher of a senior citizen sex education class.
In addition to the lineup, the series will screen VOLTERETA by Alexis Morante, the winning entry from the Recent Spanish Cinema XVI Student Short Film Contest, a competition for Spanish film students living in Los Angeles.
Since 1994, the Recent Spanish Cinema Series has been presenting the most outstanding current Spanish films. The Series is a showcase of Spain’s top cinema personalities, who have contributed significantly to putting “Made in Spain” productions in the vanguard of international filmmaking. This edition is honored with the attendance of actors LUIS TOSAR, EDUARDO NORIEGA and ANTONIO DE LA TORRE and director EMILIO ARAGÓN.
The event is sponsored by the Spanish Embassy in the United States, the Spain-USA Foundation, the Consulate General of Spain in Los Angeles, the Tourist Office of Spain in Los Angeles, “Promoción Madrid”, Filmotech and E.L.M.A. (European Languages and Movies in America). Sponsored by Lladró, Codorniú, Bodegas Terras Gauda y Viña Zaco.
For further details on the schedule, please check the Recent Spanish Cinema website.