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.
Belle Epoque (1992)
7.2/10
Director: Fernando Trueba
Starring: Fernando Fernan Gomez, Jorge Sanz, Maribel Verdu
Set in 1931, a time of promise and optimism in pre-Franco Spain, this delightfully earthy, cheerful comedy tells of a hearty young army deserter (Jorg... 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
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
The Ages Of Lulu (1990)
5.6/10
Director: Bigas Luna
Starring: Francesca Neri, Maria Barranco
In Madrid, teenager Lulu has a crush on Pablo, who is the best friend of her brother Marcelo. One day, they go together to a concert and Lulu loses he... 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
Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown (1988)
7.6/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Carmen Maura, Julieta Serrano, Maria Barranco, Rossy de Palma
A popular actress (perennial Almodovar favourite, Carmen Maura) is driven to distraction when her lover leaves for another woman. She's certain she ca... Read more
Matador (1986)
7/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Antonio Banderas, Carmen Maura, Assumpta Serna, Nacho Martinez, Eva Cobo
An adventurous black comedy about a retired bullfighter and a female lawyer finding they have similar interests, which happens to be that each attains... Read more
Law of Desire (1986)
7.2/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Eusebio Poncela, Carmen Maura, Antonio Banderas
Bizarre and beguiling gender-flipping tale from Spain, detailing the quest for happiness and love by two siblings: one a successful gay theatre direct... Read more
What Have I Done To Deserve This? (1984)
7.2/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Angela De Andres-Lopez, Carmen Maura, Luis Hostalot, Veronica Forque
The exquisite Carmen Maura stars as a put-upon housewife and cleaning woman hooked on no-doze who ends up selling one of her sons to a dentist and kil... Read more
Dark Habits (1984)
6.6/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Carmen Maura, Christina Pascual, Julieta Serrano
A blackly funny tale of a nightclub singer who flees when her lover dies of a drug overdose and takes refuge in a convent, only to find that the siste... Read more