FIESTA TIME IS NEAR! THE HSBC SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL RETURNS THIS JUNE – JULY WITH THE FESTIVAL’S LARGEST LINE-UP TO DATE

The HSBC Spanish Film Festival presented by Palace returns this June to July with a fiesta of films awaiting. The curated line-up, the festival’s largest yet, features films from Spain and Latin America screening nationally from 11 June. The six films announced today offer the first delicious taste of the festival which screens at Palace Cinemas, Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas and Luna Palace Cinemas. 
 
This year’s festival Centrepiece is THE TEACHER WHO PROMISED THE SEA (El Maestro que Prometió el Mar), winner of  the Audience Prize at the 2024 Gaudí Awards. The acclaimed drama features Enric Auquer (the star of last year’s festival hit Two Many Chefs) and Laia Costa, and tells the true story of Antoni Benaiges, a teacher who brought progressive teaching methods to a small village in 1930s Burgos.

Featuring in the New Spanish Cinema selection is JOKES AND CIGARETTES (Saben aquell), directed by multiple Goya Award winner David Trueba. The drama stars a transformed David Verdaguer as Eugenio, the famous chain-smoking Catalan comedian of the 1960s and 70s, known for his deadpan delivery, tinted glasses and trademark black attire. A special festival preview of this film will take place one week prior to the opening of the festival.

The 2024 Special Presentation is a collection of films that encapsulate the themes of Sexual Liberation and Empowerment’ including UN AMOR and VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS (Vera y el placer de los otros). A striking drama from prolific director Isabel Coixet, UN AMOR stars Laia Costa and Hovik Keuchkerian as new neighbours in a village in rural Spain who become entangled in a web of passion. VERA AND THE PLEASURE OF OTHERS is a comedic and erotic tale about growing up, that follows 17-year-old Vera, as she divides her days between volleyball, school, and a secret hobby: listening to other people’s pleasure.

The Cine Latino selection includes A RAVAGING WIND (El viento que arrasa), a quietly powerful coming-of-age drama that explores a young woman’s path to change her fate. This Argentinian gem is from acclaimed writer/director Paula Hernandez.
 
From Mexico, comes UPON OPEN SKY (A cielo abierto), a searing, morally thorny tale is set in early 1990s Mexico, about three siblings who embark on a  journey of revenge.from a screenplay by legendary Mexican scriptwriter Guillermo Arriaga.  
 
The 2024 HSBC Spanish Film Festival takes place nationally from 11 June to 10 July (dates vary) in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Canberra, Brisbane, Ballina and Byron Bay.

The full programme will be announced and tickets on sale mid-May.
Tickets for the festival preview go on sale on Wednesday 8 May.
 
LISTING DETAILS:
Adelaide 12 June – 3 July: Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas

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