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.
The Other Side of the Bed (2002)
6.6/10
Director: Emilio Martinez Lazaro
Starring: Paz Vega, Guillermo Toledo, Alberto San Juan, Natalia Verbeke, Ernesto Alterio,...
"The Other Side of the Bed" is a raucous and sexy romantic comedy with a musical twist. The film tells the story of two couples, along with a collecti... Read more
The Passion of Augustine / The Olive Tree (2015)
Director: Lea Pool, Iciar Bollain
Starring: Javier Gutierrez
Set contains both The Passion of Augustine (2015) and The Olive Tree (2016) Mother Augustine puts all her energy and musical talent into her studen... Read more
The Sea Inside (2004)
8/10
Director: Alejandro Amenabar
Starring: Javier Bardem, Belen Rueda, Lola Duenas, Celso Bugallo
Two towering figures in Spanish cinema - actor Javier Bardem and director Alejandro Amenabar - collaborated on this powerful true story. Ramon Sampedr... Read more
The Skin I Live In (2011)
7.6/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Marisa Paredes, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Roberto Alamo
Marked by his typically twisted storyline and skewed eroticism, this kinky thriller from writer/director Pedro Almodovar stars Antonio Banderas as a n... Read more
The Spanish Apartment ( L'Auberge Espagnole ) (2002)
7.3/10
Director: Cedric Klapisch
Starring: Romain Duris, Cecile De France, Judith Godreche, Audrey Tautou
Aka "Pot Luck". From the director of "When the Cat's Away" comes this frothy romantic comedy in which Xavier, a French college senior, signs up for a... Read more
The Spirit of the Beehive (1973)
8/10
Director: Victor Erice
Starring: Fernando Fernan Gomez, Teresa Gimpera, Ana Torrent
Ana Torrent is unforgettable as a lonely little village girl who sees Boris Karlof's 'Frankenstein' in the town-hall and becomes entranced by the mons... Read more
Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990)
7/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Loles Leon, Victoria Abril
In perhaps his most outrageous and controversial film, Pedro Almodovar follows the strange relationship that grows between an obsessive ex-mental pat... Read more
Tierra (2000)
7.2/10
Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Emma Suarez, Nancho Novo, Karra Elejalde, Carmelo Gomez, Txema Blasco, Ane Sanch...
Aka "Earth". Angel (Carmelo Gomez) attempts to find grounding in his work (as a fumigator) but finds his wandering soul torn in two directions. Initia... Read more
Timecrimes (2007)
7.2/10
Director: Nacho Vigalondo
Starring: Karra Elejalde, Candela Fernandez, Barbara Goenaga, Nacho Vigalondo, Juan Inciar...
Aka "Los Cronocrimenes". Fiendishly clever and stylishly crafted, this low-budget Spanish sci-fi thriller ably demonstrates the value of a great idea... Read more
To Die in San Hilario (2005)
6.4/10
Director: Laura Mana
Starring: Ana Fernandez, Lluis Homar
A fictional story with touches of magical realism a film which touches on life, death, love, truth, faith, doubt and hope. San Hilario is a village... Read more