Recent Spanish Cinema 2024 in LA

“Recent Spanish Cinema,” the oldest showcase of Spanish cinema in the United States, returns to the Egyptian Theatre for its 30th anniversary, featuring free screenings of six Spanish feature films.

Since 1994, the Recent Spanish Cinema series has showcased Spain’s leading cinema personalities who have significantly contributed to placing “Made in Spain” productions at the forefront of international filmmaking. This initiative by the Spanish Institute of Cinematography and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), which operates under the Ministry of Culture, aims to preserve, foster, and promote the Spanish filmmaking and audiovisual sectors. It collaborates with the American Cinematheque, a non-profit cultural organization in Hollywood dedicated to showcasing films from both the past and present, as well as with EGEDA US, the US-based Ibero-American Audiovisual Producers Association that connects the US film industry with those in Spain and Latin America.

Contributing to the revitalization of the City of Hollywood, the American Cinematheque has restored and renovated the historically significant 1922 Egyptian Theatre, home of the first-ever Hollywood film premiere, which is now the American Cinematheque’s permanent home, as well as a major Hollywood landmark and state-of-the-art showcase theater.

Recent Spanish Cinema provides West Coast film fans the chance to see the U.S. debut of several top Spanish-produced films:

The Red Virgin

• On Friday, October 25 at 7 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Post-screening Q&A and cocktail with the director.
• Directed by Paula Ortiz, Spain, 2024, 113 minutes.
• Original title: La virgen roja. U.S. Premiere.
• In Spanish with English subtitles.

Hildegart is conceived and raised by her mother, Aurora, to be the woman of the future. She becomes one of Spain’s most brilliant minds in the 1930s and a key figure in European discussions on female sexuality. At 18, Hildegart begins to experience freedom and meets Abel Velilla, who introduces her to a new emotional world and helps her break free from her mother’s strict control. Fearing the loss of her influence, Aurora does everything she can to keep Hildegart close. The two women confront each other on a summer night in 1933, ultimately bringing the “Hildegart Project” to an end.

Black butterflies

• On Saturday, October 26 at 1 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Directed by David Baute, Spain, 2024, 83 min
• Original title: Mariposas negras. U.S. Premiere.
• In Spanish, Hindi, French and Turkmen with English subtitles.

Climate change impacts the lives of Tanit, Valeria, and Shaila. These three women come from diverse backgrounds, yet they share a common experience: all have lost everything due to global warming and must migrate to survive.

A house on fire

• On Saturday, October 26 at 4 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Directed by Dani de la Orden, Spain / Italy, 2024, 110 minutes.
• Original title: Casa en Flames. U.S. Premiere.
• In Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles.

Montse is very excited because she is about to spend a weekend with her entire family at her house in Cadaqués, on the Costa Brava. Although she has been divorced for a long time and her ex has a new partner, her children have grown up and are living their own lives, she remains undeterred. Nothing and no one can spoil Montse’s mood. She has waited and dreamed about this moment for too long. This weekend will be perfect, even if she has to go to great lengths to make it happen.

EL 47

• On Saturday, October 26 at 7:30 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Directed by Marcel Barrena, Spain, 2024, 110 minutes.
• U.S. Premiere.
• In Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles.

Tired of the Barcelona City Council claiming that public transportation couldn’t reach the Torre Baró neighborhood due to narrow and unsafe streets, Manolo Vital, a resident and bus driver for TMB, set out to prove them wrong while driving the “EL 47.”

Saturn Return

• On Sunday, October 27 at 6:30 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Double feature with The Other Way Around below.
• Post-screening Q&A with filmmaker Isaki Lacuesta and producer Cristobal Garcia.
• Directed by Isaki Lacuesta y Pol Rodríguez, 2024, Spain / France, 110 minutes.
• Original title: Segundo premio.
• In Spanish with English subtitles.

A rock band has to record their third LP, which will either propel them to stardom or fade into oblivion. Despite executives’ reservations, their idea is to have the recording take place in New York. But everything complicates, and the creative process turns into a hellish ordeal. A love triangle with all its consequences unfolds, band members desert, romantic relationships shatter, rehearsals become rampant with drugs and alcohol, and the unbearable pressure from the record label leads to endless fights and arguments only interrupted by fleeting moments of happiness. Meanwhile, unknowingly, they will be composing an album that will leave a mark on an entire generation.

The other way around

• On Sunday, October 27 at 6:30 pm. Free, RSVP required.
• Double feature with Saturn Return above.
• Directed by Jonás Trueba, 2024, Spain / France, 113 minutes.
• Original title: Volveréis.
• In Spanish with English subtitles.

After 15 years together, Ale and Alex have come up with the crazy idea of throwing a party to celebrate their recent break-up. While their close ones are quite skeptical, they seem to be sure of their decision. Or are they really?