Recent Spanish Cinema 2018 in Los Angeles

The emblematic Egyptian Theatre hosts the 24th edition of “Recent Spanish Cinema,” featuring leading figures in the Spanish film industry, who have contributed significantly to put “Made in Spain” productions at the vanguard of filmmaking worldwide.

Champions (Campeones)

• On Thursday, October 11 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Discussion after the feature with director Javier Fesser, followed by a reception at The Egyptian Theatre for all ticket holders.
• Directed by Javier Fesser, Spain, 2018, 124 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

In this hilarious and touching box office hit, Marco Montes (Javier Gutiérrez) finds himself at that mercy of a judge after losing his prestigious coaching job and getting arrested in a drunk driving incident. Part of his sentence involves coaching a basketball team of men with disabilities –an opportunity that may be Marco’s one chance to pick himself up and lead a team of talented players to victory.

Tadeo Jones 2: El Secreto del Rey Midas

• On Friday, October 12 at 10 am. Special screening for schools.
• Directed by Javier David Alonso & Enrique Gato, Spain, 2017, 85 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Self-proclaimed international explorer Tadeo Jones is back for another adventure in this 2018 Goya winner for Best Animated Film. After a two-year separation following their expedition in Peru, Tadeo (Óscar Barberán) and Sara (Michelle Jenner) reunite in a quest to find King Midas’ necklace. Hot on their trails is greedy millionaire Jack Rackham (Miguel Ángel Jenner), who kidnaps Sara, the only person who knows where the parts of the necklace are located. It is all up to Tadeo and his band of misfits, including fellow-adventurer Tiffany (Adriana Ugarte), some animal friends, and one loudmouthed mummy, to stop Rackham and save the day.

Holy Camp (La Llamada)

• On Friday, October 12 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with Giant (Handia) below.
• Directed by Javier Ambrossi & Javier Calvo, Spain, 2017, 108 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

In this delightful musical, aspiring teen reggaeton singers María (Macarena García) and Susana (Anna Castillo) just want to have a good time, and a mandatory trip to the Catholic camp La Brújula seems far from fun. But after an encounter with God (Richard Collins-Moore) –who turns out to have a musical side of his own– the girls find that their dreams and their religion might not be mutually exclusive.

Giant (Handia)

• On Friday, October 12 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with Holy Camp (La Llamada) above.
• Directed by Aitor Arregi & Jon Garaño, Spain, 2017, 114 minutes. In Spanish and Basque with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

In this gripping period piece based on actual events, veteran Martín (Joseba Usabiaga) makes a shocking discovery upon returning home from the First Carlist War: his younger brother Joaquín (Eneko Sagardoy) has become the world’s tallest man. As the brothers try to profit on Joaquín’s worsening condition with a circus act travelling across Europe, they face a host of obstacles that test the limits of their beliefs and loyalties.

Sunday’s Illness (La Enfermedad del Domingo)

• On Saturday, October 13 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with The Tribe (La Tribu) below. Discussion between films with director Ramón Salazar.
• Directed by Ramón Salazar, Spain, 2018, 113 minutes. In Spanish and French with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Bárbara Lennie and Susi Sánchez star in this critically acclaimed drama as a mother and daughter who spend several days together in a remote countryside cabin, breaking a 30-year estrangement. The two women know nothing about each other beyond the obvious disparity in their lifestyles, and a history of betrayal makes an awkward ten days even more painful –but the daughter’s reason for her return is perhaps not so malicious, and there may be a path to reconciliation after all.

The Tribe (La Tribu)

• On Saturday, October 13 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Double feature with Sunday’s Illness (La Enfermedad del Domingo) above.
• Directed by Fernando Colomo, Spain, 2018, 90 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

After losing everything due to an embarrassing viral video, former CEO Fidel (Paco León) reunites with his estranged birth mother in an effort to start anew. To his surprise, he finds that his mother Virginia (Carmen Machi) is a cleaning woman with a peculiar obsession: street dancing. Sucked into joining her dance group, The Mommies, Fidel discovers a new talent and passion for life as he grows closer to Virginia.

Carmen y Lola

• On Saturday, October 13 at 8 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Arantxa Echevarria, Spain, 2018, 103 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

In her feature film debut, writer-director Arantxa Echevarria creates an impassioned love story both universal and sharply specific, following the blossoming romance of two young gypsy girls. Carmen (Rosy Rodriguez) and Lola (Zaira Morales) find freedom in each other’s company as they experience a true sense of identity for the first time. But as their relationship grows deeper, they face fallout from Madrid’s traditional Roma community.

Lots of Kids, a Monkey, and a Castle (Muchos Hijos, un Mono y un Castillo)

• On Sunday, October 14 at 7:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Post-screening Q&A with director Gustavo Salmerón.
• Directed by Gustavo Salmerón, Spain, 2017, 90 minutes. In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Famed Spanish actor Gustavo Salmerón (Mensaka, Asfalto) makes his directorial debut with this intimate documentary about his mother, Julita. Through a series of interviews, the film walks us through the woman’s entire life, including her past accomplishments, lost dreams and future hopes, creating a loving portrait that is both universal and deeply personal. The film has become a surprise favorite among Spanish audiences, as well as winner of Best Documentary at the 2018 Goya Awards.