Category Archives: Spanish Cinema

Unfinished business after love – “El Pasado” [2007 Argentina, Brazil]

After some brilliant and ground-breaking films like Pixote and Carandiru, acclaimed Argentinian-Brazilian director Hector Babenco made “El pasado” [Eng. Title: the Past] – a low-key drama focusing on the aftermath of a couple’s relationship. Sofia (Analía Couceyro) and Rimini (Gael … Continue reading

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Celeste Cid in “El amigo Alemán” [2012 Germany, Argentina]

Jeanine Meerapfel’s “El amigo Alemán” [English Title: The German Friend] is a romantic drama centred around the daughter of German émigrés, and set against the backdrop of some turbulent decades of Argentina’s recent history. Storyline: Young Sulamit’s Jewish parents are … Continue reading

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In a world without love (and possibly, logic) – “Mala” [2013 Argentina]

As a screenwriter and director, Adrián Caetano has made some fine and memorable films in Argentina, but his latest crime-fantasy drama “Mala” [Eng. Title: Evil Woman] is likely to be remembered more as an oddity… It begins with the words, … Continue reading

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For some, going north means trekking through hell – “La vida precoz y breve de Sabina Rivas” [2012 Mexico]

Mexican filmmakers never seem to grow tired of their country’s infamous gangs – Luis Mandoki’s crime drama “La vida precoz y breve de Sabina Rivas” [Eng. Trans: The Precocious and Brief Life of Sabina Rivas] is set in towns bordering … Continue reading

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Lali Espinet, tragic heroine of the ‘S’ years: “El Pico” 1 & 2 [Spain 1983, 1984]

Those were heady days in Spain – the late 70’s and early 80’s – the economy was booming, the country was busy catching up on lost time, and newly won liberties were enthusiastically celebrated, which allowed hitherto hidden film-talents to … Continue reading

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