Spanish & Portuguese Cinema
Undoubtedly the backbone of Alice's Spanish collection are the films of Pedro Almodovar. Since the 1980s this unique film maker has been bringing us such gems as 'Laws of Desire', 'Women on the Verge...' and 'Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down' and nurturing the talents of actors such as Antonio Banderas, Victoria Abril and Penelope Cruz.
But there is more to Spanish film than the talented Mr Almodovar. Everything from the beautiful and haunting works of Carlos Saura to the off-beat and darkly humourous tales of Alex de Iglesia.
Pictured right: One-of-a-kind helmer, Pedro Almodovar.
Tombs of the Blind Dead (1971)
6.2/10
Director: Amando De Ossorio
Starring: Cesar Burner, Lone Fleming, Helen Harp, Maria Silva
13th-century Templars are executed and blinded (by crows) for killing women during blood rituals. They return from their graves as mummified, bloodthi... Read more
Tristana (1970)
7.6/10
Director: Luis Bunuel
Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Fernando Rey, Franco Nero
Toledo, Spain, 1923. Tristana, a young woman aged 18, has just lost her mother and is taken in by Don Lope, an impoverished aristocrat known as a free... Read more
Truman (2015)
7.3/10
Director: Cesc Gay
Starring: Ricardo Darin, Javier Camara, Dolores Fonzi
Since the success of the Argentinian thriller The Secret in Their Eyes actor Ricardo Darín has gone from national hero to international star. This Feb... Read more
Un Chien Andalou / Land Without Bread ( Las Hurdes ) (1929)
Director: Luis Bunuel
Luis Bunuel's first film, the surrealistic masterpiece "Un Chien Andalou" ("An Andalusian Dog"), was based after an exchange of dreams with co-writer... Read more
Unconscious (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Joaquin Oristrell
Starring: Leonor Watling, Luis Tosar, Alex Brendemuhl, Nuria Prims, Juanjo Puigcorbe
Set in 1913 Barcelona as psychoanalysis was captivating an entire generation, this unashamedly bawdy Spanish farce stars Almodovar darling Leonor Watl... Read more
Vacas (1992)
7.2/10
Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Ana Torrent, Emma Suarez, Carmelo Gomez, Txema Blasco
Director Julio Medem presents a saga spanning over half a century of the twisted goings on between two families in Northern Spain. Carmelo Gomez and K... Read more
Vengo (2000)
7.2/10
Director: Tony Gatlif
Starring: Antonio Canales, Orestes Villasan Rodriguez
The rich and passionate sounds of Spanish flamenco music provide the backdrop for this emotional drama of two families at war. Caco (Antonio Canales)... Read more
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)
7.1/10
Director: Woody Allen
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Patricia Clarkso...
Set in the titular Spanish city, Woody Allen's romantic drama features the new Allen favourite Scarlett Johansson and Rebecca Hall as American tourist... Read more
Viridiana (1961)
8.2/10
Director: Luis Bunuel
Starring: Francisco Rabal, Silvia Pinal, Fernando Rey
A powerful psychological study of a novice nun (Silvia Pinal) who loses her innocence when forced by her Mother Superior to visit nasty uncle Fernando... Read more
Volver (2006)
7.6/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Penelope Cruz, Carmen Maura, Lola Duenas, Blanca Portillo, Yohana Cobo, Chus Lam...
Pedro Almodovar's 16th feature film stars Penelope Cruz as a hard-working janitor, supporting a daughter and a layabout husband in Madrid. Her own mo... Read more