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 Ferpect Crime (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Alex De La Iglesia
Starring: Guillermo Toledo, Monica Cervera, Luis Varela
Aka 'The Ferpect Crime.' While working in the women's clothing section of a fashionable Madrid department store, a suave salesman makes money while pu... Read more
Unconscious (2004)
7.4/10
Director: Joaquin Oristrell
Starring: Leonor Watling, Luis Tosar, Alex Brendemuhl, Nuria Prims, Juanjo Puigcorbe
Set in 1913 Barcelona as psychoanalysis was captivating an entire generation, this unashamedly bawdy Spanish farce stars Almodovar darling Leonor Watl... 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
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
Basque Ball (2004)
7.1/10
Director: Julio Medem
This fascinating and thought-provoking documentary from acclaimed filmmaker Julio Medem (Sex and Lucia) explores the unique language and traditions of... Read more
Bad Education (2004)
7.5/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Daniel Gimenez Cacho, Fele Martinez, Gael Garcia Bernal, Javier Camara, Lluis Ho...
From acclaimed director Pedro Almodovar ("Talk to Her") comes an outrageous tale of desire, revenge and murder. Filmmaker Enrique (Fele Martinez) gets... Read more
Killing Words (2003)
Director: Laura Mana
Starring: Goya Toledo, Dario Grandinetti, Fernando Guillen, Eric Bonicatto
A.k.a. "Palabras Encadenadas". Locked in a dark basement, Laura (Goya Toledo), a psychiatrist in her early thirties, contemplates in horror a video wh... Read more
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 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
Talk To Her (2002)
8/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Javier Camara, Dario Grandinetti, Leonor Watling, Rosario Flores, Geraldine Chap...
In this ravishing tale of romantic obsession, loneliness and friendship, director Pedro Almodovar crafts a life affirming story of two tragic women an... Read more