SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL

SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL

This festival celebrates its 19th screening in Australia – and festival director of four years, Genevieve Kelly, enthused that the honesty and rawness of films in this year’s programme is refreshing.

“This festival is growing in popularity each year and it’s not just Spanish audiences attending. These films deal with all kinds of life situations – there are many facets to Spanish culture to be learnt. Spanish love comedy, they’re not afraid to laugh at themselves and this should resonate with Australian audiences.”

It was inevitable that Spanish Affair 2 should be the opening night film, considering the success Spanish Affair garnered at last year’s festival. “This comedy was the right choice to open the festival – the sequel to the massive box office hit of 2015 continues on with the jokes between the North and South, and the inclusion of the Catalans only adds to the hilarity.”

The award-winning Truman is a film which deals with friendship and one man’s acceptance of his approaching mortality. A story concerning death would normally be envisaged as depressing, but this beautiful film penned with just the right balance of emotion and humour should delight audiences, making this one of the most rewarding and must see films at this year’s festival.

A Ticket To Your Life is a documentary which details the experiences of three Spaniard immigrants to Australia who are attempting to escape the economic crisis in Spain to start a new life. The cameras follow them around as they converse with local Spanish, hoping to establish themselves in a new country,” explained Kelly.

Ma Ma is an intense drama which stars Penelope Cruz, who delivers a breathtaking performance with unabated depth and strength. In recent years Cruz has been typed-cast as strong-accented villainesses in American comedies, but her true acting ability is exemplified in this film. This tear-jerker deals with a lady who survives a marriage breakup. She meets the love of her life and a beautiful relationship develops, until tragedy strikes when she is diagnosed with breast cancer.

“This story of a woman who is determined to handle a health crisis with dignity and positivity is an inspiring and engrossing emotional-rollercoaster.”

Incorporating a wonderful array of films, opening parties, Q&A sessions and director Daniel Guzman in attendance, this film festival is indisputably a cultural event.

“Attend this festival and teleport into the spectrum of emotions of Spanish language cinema,” concluded Kelly. (MMo)

Apr 12–May 1. Palace Norton St & Palace Verona. $15-$80 (5 film pass). Tickets & info: spanishfilmfestival.com

 

 

 

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