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.
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
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
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
Blancanieves (2012)
Director: Pablo Berger
Starring: Angela Molina, Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Maribel Verdu, Pere Ponce, Jose Maria Pou,...
Once upon a time there was a girl named Carmen, who never knew her mother. She learned the art of her father, a famous bullfighter, but was hated by h... Read more
Death in Leon (Muerte en Leon) (2016)
8/10
The brutal murder of Isabel Carrasco, one of Spain's most controversial politicians, shocked the nation. Three women were quickly arrested in what app... Read more
Pain And Glory (2019)
7.5/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Leonardo Sbaraglia
An aging film director suffering from chronic illness and writer's block reflects on his life. Read more
Open Your Eyes (1997)
7.8/10
Director: Alejandro Amenabar
Starring: Eduardo Noriega, Penelope Cruz, Fele Martinez, Najwa Nimri
Aka 'Abre Los Ojos'. In this steamy, intriguingly complex, psychological thriller the line between reality and fantasy is hopelessly blurred. Cesar tr... 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
Summer 1993 (Estiu 1993) (2017)
7.2/10
Starring: Paula Blanco, Etna Campillo, Laia Artigas
Six-year-old Frida looks on in silence as the last objects from her recently deceased mother's apartment in Barcelona are placed in boxes. Although he... Read more
Carlos Saura Box Set (1995)
Director: Carlos Saura
Starring: Joaquin Cortez, Paco De Lucia, Antonio Gades, Laura Del Sol, Miguel Angel Sola,...
Contains "Flamenco", "Carmen" and "Tango", three unrivalled celebrations of Latin American dance from Carlos Saura. "Tango" shows the passionate strug... Read more