EXPERIENCE REEL INSPIRACIÓN AT THE SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL 2017

By Tony Polese · On April 24, 2017

A thrilling program awaits and includes a star-studded line-up of films at the Spanish Film Festival 2017.

  Featuring performances by Penélope Cruz, 2013 festival guest Maribel Verdú,  and Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon in a new instalment of The Trip, along with the Berlinale award-winning film SUMMER 1993, a focus on flamenco dancing, and a retrospective on iconic actress, singer and director, Ana Belén. Showcasing 39 films, the festival invites audiences to indulge in almost three weeks of Spanish culture on the big screen.   

The festival will open with the sexy and daring Spanish box office hit KIKI, LOVE TO LOVE (KIKI, EL AMOR SE HACE). Told through five stories, as a scorching summer heatwave intensifies the desires of a collection of Madrid lovers, this award-winning comedy is adapted from Josh Lawson’s film, The Little Death. With critics drawing parallels between the film’s director Paco León and acclaimed Spanish auteur Pedro Almodóvar, it’s an opening night film not to be missed. Opening night ticket holders are invited to dance the night away with a  post film celebration featuring Torres Wines, Stella Artois and tapas    .

The festival will close with THE TRIP TO SPAIN, directed by Michael Winterbottom and starring the always hilarious Steve Coogan and Rob Brydon, who reunite in the third chapter of the hugely popular series, The Trip. Picking up where they left off in The Trip to Italy, with semi-fictional, spouse-free raconteurial ramblings and impressions of Michael Caine, the duo takes a sun-drenched tour of some of the best restaurants in Spain for the UK’s Observer. Post screening, closing night drinks will be provided by Torres Wines and Stella Artois.

The THE QUEEN OF SPAIN (LA REINA DE ESPAÑA), from Oscar winning director Fernando Trueba and starring Penélope Cruz as a 1950s Hollywood film star returning to Spain, will be featured as a Special Event screening – accompanied by a glass of premium Lolea Sangria and Spanish tuneson arrival at the cinema.
 
The REEL FLAMENCO section of the program is set to electrify with screenings of FLIGHT OF THE GUITAR: DREAMING OF PACO DE LUCIA (LA GUITARRA VUELA: SOÑANDO A PACO DE LUCÍA), which focuses on ‘La Maestro’, Spanish musician Paco De Lucia, and his self-designed guitar; JOTA: BEYOND FLAMENCO (LA JOTA), the new film from legendary Spanish filmmaker Carlo Saura(Carmen, Tango), captures the vivacity and charisma of the jota, a waltz-like castanet dance; and 13.MIGUEL POVEDA, a behind-the-scenes expose and tribute to one of Spain’s most famous flamenco singers, celebrating his 25-year career.
 
The CENTREPIECE film SUMMER 1993 (ESTIU 1993), was the critical breakout at this year’s Berlinale, taking out the Best First Feature prize. Telling the moving tale of a six-year-old orphan girl, the film is delicately crafted by Catalan director Carla Simón and marks the arrival of a major new voice in world cinema.
 
The REEL INFANTIL section delivers kids films that will provide fun for the whole family. Selections include the fun and fantastical adventure film ZIP & ZAP & CAPTAIN’S ISLAND (ZIPI Y ZAPE Y LA ISLA DEL CAPTÀN), which follows two mischievous brothers on a mysterious remote island adventure; and the adorable animation OZZY, about a friendly beagle which has his idyllic life turned upside down when his family goes on holidays to Japan – where no dogs are allowed! Both films will screen during family timeslots.
 
Highlights from the REEL ESPAÑOL section include THE BAR (EL BAR), an offbeat thriller from cult director Alex de la Iglesia (Witching and Bitching, SFF 2014), about a motley group of people trapped in a bar; MAY GOD SAVE US (QUE DIOS NOS PERDONE), featuring Roberto Álamo in his Goya award-winning role, as one of two detectives tasked with discretely tracking down a killer amongst a million tourists in mid-summer Madrid; and SMOKE AND MIRRORS (EL HOMBRE DE LAS MIL CARAS),from the director of Marshland (SFF 15), is the incredible true story of a man who fooled an entire country:the shadowy, ingenious Francisco Paesa.
 
This year’s ANA BELÉN retrospective pays tribute to a multi-talented actress, singer and director who has recorded more than 35 albums and appeared in more than 40 films and 30 theatrical productions across her career. The program will include three of Ana’s earlier films: TORMENT (TORMENTO – Pedro Olea, 1974), DEMONS IN THE GARDEN (DEMONIOS EN EL JARDÍN – Manuel Gutiérrez Aragón 1982) and THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA (LA CASA DE BARNARDA ALBA – Mario Camus, 1987), all screening in 35mm courtesy of the Instituto Cervantes.  