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.
Intacto (2001)
6.9/10
Director: Juan Carlos Fresnadillo
Starring: Leonardo Sbaraglia, Eusebio Poncela, Monica Lopez, Antonio Dechent, Max von Sydo...
Offbeat psychological thriller centers on an enigmatic Holocaust survivor (Max Von Sydow) who uses his ability to control the luck of those around him... Read more
Sex and Lucia (2001)
7.2/10
Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Paz Vega, Tristan Ulloa, Najwa Nimri, Daniel Freire, Elena Anaya, Javier Camara,...
Lucia is a young waitress who lives and works in Madrid. When she hears of the death of her long-time writer boyfriend Lorenzo, she seeks refuge on a... Read more
The Devil's Backbone (2001)
7.5/10
Director: Guillermo del Toro
Starring: Federico Luppi, Eduardo Noriega, Marisa Paredes
From Guillermo Del Toro comes this haunting ghost story set in a Spanish orphanage that houses children of left-wing families during the final days of... 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
Vengo (2000)
7.2/10
Director: Tony Gatlif
Starring: Antonio Canales, Orestes Villasan Rodriguez
The rich and passionate sounds of Spanish flamenco music provide the backdrop for this emotional drama of two families at war. Caco (Antonio Canales)... Read more
The Nameless (1999)
5.9/10
Director: Jaume Balaguero
Starring: Emma Vilarasau, Karra Elejalde, Tristan Ulloa
Aka "Los Sin Nombre". A young girl is brutally murdered. Five years later, just when her mother is coming to terms with the tragedy, a telephone call... Read more
All About My Mother (1999)
7.9/10
Director: Pedro Almodovar
Starring: Cecilia Roth, Penelope Cruz, Antonia San Juan
When her teenage son is killed, Madrid nurse Cecilia Roth sets out to fulfill the boy's wish to find the father he never knew. Roth's quest to locate... Read more
Tango (1998)
7.2/10
Director: Carlos Saura
Starring: Mia Maestro, Juan Carlos Copes, Cecilia Narova, Miguel Angel Sola
This beautifully crafted film from the director of "Carmen" and "Blood Wedding" tells of a middle-aged choreographer who is producing a film about tan... Read more
Lovers of the Arctic Circle (1998)
7.8/10
Director: Julio Medem
Starring: Najwa Nimri, Fele Martinez, Sara Valiente, Victor Hugo Oliviera
This startling, quirky and deeply romantic drama focuses on two lovers who first cross at the age of eight when each is running for different reasons.... 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