21st SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL
The popularity of the Spanish Film Festival is on the increase in Australia and with over 45,000 admissions last year it’s definitely one of the most successful.
“This festival celebrates 21 years and it’s getting bigger and bigger. People who are learning Spanish or travelling to Spain or who just want a taste of the culture are coming along to this film festival,” festival manager Paulette Arvizu explained.
The film industry in Spain is steady and from the couple of hundred of movies produced in the past 12 months a program of 25 films (of which three are retrospective titles) has been carefully curated.
“This year we’re being more selective with which films we’re bringing to the festival. We’re concentrating on the biggest and better quality titles and a few of the independent titles which stand out.”
Arvizu said that two of the highlights are Abracadabra – a comedy about a housewife’s husband who gets possessed by a ghost and No Filter – another comedy which centers on a woman who takes a potion and is then unable to stop speaking her mind. The opening night film The Tribe which stars Carmen Machi as a mother who is reunited with her son (Paco Leon) is packed with music and laughter and should also prove to be a hit.
“We’re trying to bring a bit of culture and Spanish language to Australia. You wouldn’t normally be able to watch these films on the big screen as few if any will be released in Australia. It’s important for us to reach the audience because we know the demand is there. It’s a cultural experience, the films are fun and it’s great to have a night out and watch a film which is different to what is screening in normal cinemas,” Arvizu concluded. (MMo)
Apr 17-May 6. Palace Norton St, Palace Verona & Palace Central. $22-$150 (10 film pass). Tickets & Info: www.spanishfilmfestival.com
