Recent Spanish Cinema 2016 in Los Angeles

The 22nd edition of Los Angeles’ recent Spanish cinema and the 6th edition of Miami’s recent cinema from Spain showcase our best cinema.

Get an early glimpse of Spain’s rich, vibrant and vital films on the big screen at the emblematic Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles and the historic Olympia Theatre in Miami. This Seventh Art showcase will feature appearances by leading figures in the Spanish film industry, who have contributed significantly to put “Made in Spain” productions at the vanguard of filmmaking worldwide.

Now in its 22nd year in Los Angeles and 6th in Miami, this showcase aims to attract and involve those who are interested in Spanish cinema and culture. These cities, known for their diverse art scenes, provide exceptional settings for the U.S. debut of numerous Spanish film productions.

Truman

• On Thursday, October 13 at 7 pm. Buy tickets.
• Screening preceded by the winner of the New Filmmakers from Spain Short Film Contest, The Suitor, directed by Alvaro Congosto.
• Directed by Cesc Gay, Spain, 2015, 108 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Winner of five Goya Awards, including Best Film, this thought-provoking take on mortality stars Ricardo Darín as Julian, a working actor who has just received a diagnosis of terminal cancer. When old buddy Tomas (Javier Camara) arrives to visit, he finds Julian more concerned about the fate of his dog, Truman.

The Bride (La novia)

• On Friday, October 14 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with To Steal from a Thief. Discussion between films with The Bride director Paula Ortiz.
• Directed by Paula Ortiz, Spain, 2015, 96 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Garcia Lorca’s play Blood Wedding serves as the basis for this engrossing drama. Feroz winner Inma Cuesta plays the bride whose upcoming marriage is derailed by the arrival of an old flame (Álex García). The film’s occasionally fantastical imagery elevates a tragic love triangle into the realm of poetry.

To Steal from a Thief (Cien años de Perdón)

• On Friday, October 14 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Daniel Calparsoro, Spain, 2016, 96 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Among the year’s biggest box office hits in Spain, this expertly crafted heist film follows a team of robbers (led by Rodrigo de la Serna and Luis Tosar, both superb) who hit a bank in Valencia. But one of those safe deposit boxes is filled with political information that the government is eager to keep secret.

Kiki, Love to Love (El Amor se hace)

• On Saturday, October 15 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with Party Town. Discussion between films with Kiki, Love to Love and El Pregón actress Belén Cuesta.
• Directed by Paco León, Spain, 2016, 102 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Through interwoven stories, five couples revel in and struggle with sexual fetishes in one of Spain’s biggest box office hits of the year. Actor-director Paco León’s (Carmina or Blow up) kinky comedy recalls the uninhibited spirit of Pedro Almodóvar with a knack for hilarious set pieces that is uniquely his own.

Party Town (El Pregón)

• On Saturday, October 15 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Dani de la Orden, Spain, 2016, 75 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Spanish stars Andreu Buenafuente and Berto Romero play brothers whose duo act, Supergalactic, had a one-off pop hit in the 1990s. When the mayor of their hometown asks them to reunite, the two decide to overlook their differences for one last taste of stardom – and a quick payday – but their fans, local traditions and hidden agendas complicate their plans.

The Corpse of Anna Fritz (El Cadáver de Anna Fritz)

• On Saturday, October 15 at 8 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Héctor Hernández Vicens, Spain, 2015, 76 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Anna Fritz (Alba Ribas) was a famous and beautiful actress; after her sudden death her body arrives at the morgue, where attendant Pau (Albert Carbo) can’t resist telling Ivan (Cristian Valencia) and Javi (Bernat Saumell). The two friends want a look –and maybe more– but things soon take an unexpected turn in this brisk and disturbing thriller.

Spy Time (Anacleto: Agente Secreto)

• On Sunday, October 16 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with Toro. Discussion between films with Spy Time director Javier Ruiz Caldera. Q&A with the actress, Belén Cuesta, after the movie.
• Directed by Javier Ruiz Caldera, Spain, 2015, 93 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

What would you do if you discovered your father was James Bond? That’s what thirtysomething slacker Adolfo (Quim Gutiérrez) is faced with when he’s targeted by his father’s old adversary (Carlos Areces). Veteran actor Imanol Arias stars as the agente secreto in this hugely enjoyable action-comedy adaptation of Manuel Vázquez Gallego’s 1960s comic strip.

Toro (Toro)

• On Sunday, October 16 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Kike Maíllo, Spain, 2016, 105 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles.

Toro (Mario Casas) has almost managed to put his criminal past behind him when he gets a desperate request from his brother (Luis Tosar), whose daughter is being held by Toro’s former boss, crime kingpin Romano (Jose Sacristan). Set in Andalusia, this fast-paced thriller boasts strong central performances and electrifying action sequences.

Special Screening: Recent Spanish Shorts

• On Sunday, October 16 at 8 pm. First come, first served.
• Recent Spanish Shorts, 90 minutes.

Join us for an evening of the best new short films from Spanish filmmakers, including this year’s New Filmmakers from Spain Award winner The Suitor (12 minutes, directed by Alvaro Congosto.) Program also includes the 2016 and 2015 finalists Through the Wall (8 minutes, directed by Tim Nackashi) and Number 2: If I Were Marilyn (15 minutes, directed by J.C. Falcon), plus the Goya-winning The Runner (12 minutes, directed by José Luis Montesinos), and more.