Recent Spanish Cinema 2017

23rd Annual Recent Spanish Cinema
Egyptian Theatre - OCTOBER 19-22

In-person guests include actors Carlos Santos (SMOKE AND MIRRORS, A STROKE OF LUCK), Marta Etura (THE INVISIBLE GUARDIAN) and Ana Wagener (THE INVISIBLE GUEST), and directors Alex de la Iglesia (THE BAR) and Adolfo Martinez Pérez (RESCUE UNDER FIRE).

Thursday, OCT. 19 - 7:30 PM - Opening Night Gala

THE FURY OF A PATIENT MAN (TARDE PARA LA IRA)

2016, Film Factory, 92 min, Spain, Dir: Raúl Arévalo

The patient man of the title is José (Antonio de la Torre), a patron of a low-rent Madrid cafe who take an interest in one of its waitresses, Ana (Ruth Díaz). But his intent is not simply romantic - Ana’s husband is a getaway car driver whose prison sentence for a botched jewelry store robbery is almost up. Winner of four Goya Awards, including Best Film. “Spanish actor-turned-director Raúl Arévalo quickly brings his deeply impressive debut under control, reining in the narrative with a hand that betrays almost none of a neophyte’s unsteadiness.” - Jessica Kiang, Variety.

Friday, OCT. 20 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature!

SMOKE AND MIRRORS (EL HOMBRE DE LAS MIL CARAS)

2016, Film Factory, 123 min, Spain, Dir: Alberto Rodríguez

Writer-director Alberto Rodríguez reunites much of his MARSHLAND creative team for this entertaining thriller inspired by the real-life exploits of onetime Spanish secret service agent Francisco Paesa. Eduard Fernández stars as the ex-spy, who had been left out in the cold by his government and sees an opportunity to settle some scores when a former commissioner of police (Goya winner Carlos Santos) asks him to help hide embezzled millions. “Playing out like a Hispanic OCEAN’S ELEVEN, SMOKE is indeed an enjoyably breathless and spectacular walk along a high wire which seems permanently about to snap but which never quite does.” - Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter.

THE INVISIBLE GUARDIAN (EL GUARDIÁN INVISIBLE)

2017, Nostromo Pictures, 129 min, Spain/Germany, Dir: Fernando González Molina

In one of the most gripping, intricately layered serial killer films of recent memory, detective Amaia Salazar (Marta Etura) is assigned to investigate the death of a teenage girl whose body was found by a river near Salazar’s hometown. The rainy village holds unpleasant childhood memories for the policewoman, but as the scope of her case widens, she must come to terms with the family she left behind while tracking a seemingly insatiable killer.

Saturday, OCT. 21 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature!

THE BAR (EL BAR)

2017, Film Factory, 102 min, Spain/Argentina, Dir: Álex de la Iglesia

Director Álex de la Iglesia (DAY OF THE BEAST, WITCHING & BITCHING) makes a welcome return with this psychological thriller spiked with black humor. After a patron is killed by an unknown shooter while attempting to leave a Madrid bar, the remaining customers (among them Blanca Suárez, Mario Casas and Carmen Machi) hunker down - and ultimately turn on one another while trying to figure out how to survive and escape.

A STROKE OF LUCK (VILLAVICIOSA DE AL LADO)

2016, Film Sharks, 90 min, Spain, Dir: Nacho G. Velilla

Inspired by actual events, this delightful comedy is one of Spain’s biggest box office hits of the year. The small town of Villaviciosa de al Lado is teetering on bankruptcy when salvation arrives in the form of a huge lottery prize and the accompanying national attention. Unfortunately, the winning ticket was sold at the local brothel, and the group of men who bought it must concoct a scheme to keep the secret from their wives while claiming the cash.

Saturday, OCT. 21 - 8 PM - Spielberg Theatre

FRÁGIL EQUILIBRIO

2016, 83 min, Spain, Dir: Guillermo García López

This Goya-winning documentary tells three intertwined stories taking place on three different continents: Japanese executives in Tokyo caught in the vicious cycle of consumerism, a sub-Saharan community in the path of immigrants leaving Africa for Europe, and families in Spain who have been destroyed by economic downturn. Told through the words of José Mujica, former president of Uruguay, the film is both is a journey through different cultures and an urgent invitation to change.

Sunday, OCT. 22 - 7:30 PM - Double Feature!

THE INVISIBLE GUEST (CONTRATIEMPO)

2016, Film Factory, 106 min, Spain, Dir: Oriol Paulo

At the center of a locked-room mystery is Adrián Doria (Mario Casas), a successful businessman who has been discovered in a hotel suite with the body of his lover. Charged with murder, he enlists top-notch witness preparation expert Virginia Goodman (Ana Wagener). As the clock ticks down to the start of Doria’s trial, Goodman’s relentless questioning of her client’s defense brings to light some troubling inconsistencies. With strong performances and plenty of plot twists, this superbly crafted thriller delivers on the promise of Paulo’s earlier THE BODY.

RESCUE UNDER FIRE (ZONA HOSTIL)

2017, Latido, 93 min, Spain, Dir: Adolfo Martínez Pérez

Inspired by real events that took place in August 2012, this riveting war drama follows a joint U.S.-Spanish convoy stopped by a landmine in northern Afghanistan. While inexperienced Lieutenant Conte (Raul Merida) tries to protect the wounded, Captain Varela (Ariadna Gil) flies a Spanish medical helicopter in to evacuate the soldiers - but it crash lands. Impulsive Commander Ledesma (Antonio Garrido) proposes a risky plan to bring everyone back including the helicopter, but as night approaches, so do Taliban fighters.