MANILA, Philippines?We have always found Spanish films to be the quirkiest in European cinema, bar none. So, every year, aside from the always-reliable Cine Europa, Eiga Sai and French Spring festivals, we look forward to Instituto Cervantes? ?Pelicula, Pelikula? Spanish film fest, which kicks off its seventh edition at Greenbelt 3 cinemas on Sept. 30 and runs until Oct. 12.
The festival is touted to be the biggest showcase of Spanish-language movies in Asia?and, mind you, these titles are mostly brand new ones. Its lineup may be quirky, but as Instituto Cervantes? affable director, Jose R. Rodriguez, told us: ?We want the affair to be something that the whole family can enjoy. Last year, 15,000 people attended the festival; we?re aiming to reach out to more moviegoers this year.?
Emotional temperament
Another element that makes Spanish productions very attractive is the fact that the emotional temperament and sentiments of Spanish films are very Pinoy?so, viewers here can easily relate to the issues and situations presented in their movies. And who can resist the stellar appeal of Spanish-language actors like Javier Bardem, Penelope Cruz, Antonio Banderas, Gael Garcia Bernal, Jorge Sanz and Jordi Molla?
And, no, ?wholesome? doesn?t necessarily mean manang-type movies, as its award-winning opening film, Nacho Velilla?s ?Fuera de Carta (Chef?s Special),? proves. Watching the rousing, gay-themed rom-com reminded us of the beauty of Pedro Almodovar?s early productions (?Law of Desire,? ?Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down,? ?Labyrinth of Passion?)?sans the film master?s risqué sensibility:
After his estranged wife succumbs to cancer, the life of gay chef, Maxi (Javier Camara), becomes complicated when he?s faced with the responsibility of taking care of his emotionally distant kids. Things get more exciting when dashing soccer heartthrob, Horacio (Benjamín Vicuña), moves in next door?and emits signals that he could be interested in Maxi! Ay, caramba!
Carlos Reygada?s multiawarded, Cannes-winning ?Luz Silenciosa (Silent Night)? is a film of stunning visual beauty. It tells the story of a married man (Cornelio Wall) with seven sons, who has been having an illicit extramarital affair for two years. His friend and preacher-father frown at his indiscretion, but they envy him, as well.
Elijah Wood and John Hurt team up to solve the murder of an old lady in the crime-drama, ?Los Crimenes de Oxford (Oxford Murders).?
Childhood
We saw Juan Antonio Bayona?s ?El Orfanato (The Orphanage)? with Monique Wilson in London, and we urge you not to miss it because it?s one of the best?and scariest?movies we?ve seen this year: In the Guillermo del Toro-produced horror-drama, Laura (Belen Rueda) returns to the orphanage, where she spent the best years of her childhood?then, her beloved son vanishes!
Other notable titles: Gracia Querejeta?s ?Seven Billiard Tables? (which won the Best Actress award for Maribel Verdu at this year?s Goya Awards); Roser Aguilar?s ?The Best of Me? (Locarno film fest?s Best Actress Award for Marian Alvarez); Francisco Vargas? ?The Violin? (2006 Cannes film fest Best Actor winner, Angel Tavira); Felix Viscarret?s ?Under the Stars? (this year?s Goya Best Actor Award for Alberto San Juan), and Adrià García and Víctor Maldonado?s acclaimed animated feature, ?Nocturna.?
