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.
Fermat's Room (2007)
6.7/10
Director: Luis Piedrahita, Rodrigo Sopena
Starring: Lluis Homar, Alejo Saurus, Elena Ballesteros, Santi Millan, Federico Luppi, Hele...
A mind-bending Spanish thriller in which four mathematicians who have never met are gathered together on the pretext of solving some great mathematica... Read more
Flamenco (1995)
7.4/10
Director: Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura's ('Carmen', 'Blood Wedding') love letter to the Flamenco explores the music and movement of this most passionate dance form. With close... Read more
Gisaku (2005)
5.7/10
Director: Baltasar Pedrosa
A spell transports a 17th century samurai to modern day Spain, in this entertaining animated action-fantasy. Waking centuries from his home, Yohei is... Read more
High Heels (1991)
7.2/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Victoria Abril, Miguel Bose, Marisa Paredes
A famous torch song singer (Marisa Parides) returns to Spain from Mexico with the hope of being reunited with the daughter (Victoria Abril) she previo... Read more
Homework (1991)
6.4/10
Starring: Maria Rojo
Virginia (Maria Rojo) is taking a class at film school, and has decided on her solo project for the class. She will film herself and her ex-husband Ma... Read more
Intacto (2001)
6.9/10
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Starring: Leonardo Sbaraglia, Eusebio Poncela, Monica Lopez, Antonio Dechent, Max von Sydo...
Offbeat psychological thriller centers on an enigmatic Holocaust survivor (Max Von Sydow) who uses his ability to control the luck of those around him... Read more
Jamon Jamon (1992)
6.5/10
Director: Bigas Luna
Starring: Anna Galiena, Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz
A delightfully clever erotic black comedy about sex and food, which also serves to mirror Spanish society in transition. The scenario focuses on the v... Read more
Julia's Eyes (2010)
6.7/10
Director: Guillem Morales
Starring: Lluis Homar, Belen Rueda, Pablo Derqui, Francesc Orella, Joan Dalmau, Julia Guti...
Julia, a woman suffering from a degenerative sight disease, finds her twin sister Sara hanged in the basement of her house. Everything points to suici... Read more
Kathmandu Lullaby (2011)
Director: Iciar Bollain
Starring: Veronica Echegui, Norbu Tsering Gurung, Saumyata Bhattarai
When Laia, a young teacher, leaves a troubled past in Barcelona and moves to Kathmandu to work at a local school, she is appalled by the extreme priva... Read more
Kidnapped (2010)
6.4/10
Director: Miguel Angel Vivas
Starring: Ana Wagener, Fernando Cayo, Manuela Velles
The most astounding and uncompromising film of the year, Miguel Angel Vivas " Kidnapped" is a masterpiece of tension and all-too-realistic violence. J... Read more