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.
A Fantastic Woman (2017)
7.2/10
Director: Sebastian Lelio
Starring: Luis Gnecco, Amparo Noguera
Marina, a transgender woman who works as a waitress and moonlights as a nightclub singer, is bowled over by the death of her older boyfriend. Read more
Conversations with Mother (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Santiago Carlos Oves
Starring: China Zorilla, Eduardo Blanco, Ulises Dumont, Silvina Bosco
Jamie (Eduardo Blanco) is a middle-aged, middle class man about to have a crisis. Not only has he lost his job, but his dotty old mother (played by Ar... 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
While At War (2019)
Director: Alejandro Amenabar
July 18, 1936. Salamanca, Castilla and León (center to Spain). The Spanish army declares the state of war in the city, hoping to extend it to the rest... Read more
Arabian Nights 1,2,3 (2015)
Director: Miguel Gomes
Starring: Crista Alfaiate, Dinarte Branco, Miguel Gomes
Arabian Nights is a monumental and dazzlingly original three-part film by Miguel Gomes (Tabu) that uses the structure of one thousand and one nights i... 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
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
Boystown (2007)
6.1/10
Director: Juan Flahn
Starring: Carlos Fuentes, Pablo Puyol, Concha Velasco, Pepon Nieto
Victor has a goal; he wants to turn the Chueca neighbourhood into a real estate paradise for hot-blooded gay couples. He'll do anything to make that h... Read more
Room in Rome (2010)
6.2/10
Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Enrico Lo Verso, Elena Anaya, Natasha Yarovenko
A sensual two-handed drama from Spanish writer-director Julio Medem ('Sex and Lucia'), 'Room in Rome' charts a one night stand that develops into some... Read more
Pepi, Luci, Bom ( Pepi, Luci, Bom and Other Girls Like Mom ) (1980)
6.3/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Carmen Maura, Olvido Gara, Eva Silva
The first feature from Spanish director Pedro Almodovar, made while he was still working at the Post Office. Set during Madrid's post-Franco punk peri... Read more