Close Your Eyes

CLOSE YOUR EYES (Cerrar los ojos) 

The Fourth Film from Revered Spanish Auteur Víctor Erice

(The Spirit of the Beehive, El Sur, Dream of Light)

The film had its world premiere in the Cannes Premiere section of the 76th Cannes Film Festival on 22 May 2023.

“A poignant cinematic swan song." —Jordan Mintzer, The Hollywood Reporter

"A slow-burn marvel which climaxes in a sequence of overwhelming profundity and mystery." —David Jenkins, Little White Lies

"A stirring tale about memory, identity, and friendship, and it feels deeply, almost alarmingly personal." —Bilge Ebiri, New York Magazine | Vulture

OPENS FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 IN NEW YORK AT FILM FORUM

OPENS FRIDAY, AUGUST 30 IN LOS ANGELES AT LANDMARK'S NUART THEATRE

NATIONAL ROLLOUT TO FOLLOW

Set in contemporary Madrid, an aging filmmaker named Miguel Garay is called upon to recount his memories of working on his final and still unfinished film, “The Farewell Gaze.” During its production, the lead actor and Miguel’s close friend, Julio Arenas, disappeared without a trace, leaving in his wake a mystery that would haunt the lives of everyone associated with the film. Miguel never directed another project, instead living a quiet life as a writer by the coast. He remained reluctant to unravel the mystery surrounding Julio until approached by an investigative television program reviving the case decades later. With careful reflection, he reconnects with the film’s crew, former lovers, and Julio’s daughter, seeking closure for the disappearance and what it meant for all of their lives.

Over three decades after the release of his previous film, revered Spanish auteur Víctor Erice (The Spirit of the Beehive, El Sur, and Dream of Light) returns with a “poignant cinematic swan song” (The Hollywood Reporter). A reflective culmination of Erice’s career in film, Close Your Eyes is a haunting meditation on memory, absence, and the enduring resonance of the moving image.

Written & Directed by: Víctor Erice (The Spirit of the Beehive, El Sur, Dream of Light), Co-Written by: Michel Gaztambide

Stars: Manolo Solo, Jose Coronado, Ana Torrent, Petra Martínez, María León

Producers: Cristina Zumárraga, Pablo E. Bossi, Víctor Erice, Jose Alba, Odile Antonio -Baez, Agustín Bossi, Pol Bossi, Maximiliano Lasansky

Distributor: Film Movement

*** WATCH THE TRAILER HERE ***

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.

GOYA Winners 2017

31st GOYA AWARDS - THE WINNERS

Complete list of winners:

Best Film
Fury of a Patient Man (Tarde para la ira)

Best Director
J.A. Bayona for A Monster Calls

Best New Director
Raúl Arévalo for Fury of a Patient Man

Best Actor
Roberto Alamo for May God Save Us (Que dios nos perdone)

Best Actress
Emma Suárez for Julieta

Best Supporting Actor
Manolo Solo for Fury of a Patient Man

Best Supporting Actress
Emma Suárez for La proxima piel

Best New Actor
Carlos Santos for Smoke and Mirrors (El hombre de las mil caras)

Best New Actress
Anna Castillo for El Olivo

Best Original Screenplay
David Pulido, Raul Arevalo for Fury of a Patient Man

Best Adapted Screenplay
Alberto Rodriguez, Rafael Cobos for Smoke and Mirrors

Best Original Score
Fernando Velazquez for A Monster Calls

Best Original Song
"Ai, Ai, Ai" by Silvia Perez Cruz for Cerca de tu casa

Best Production Design
Sandra Hermida Muniz for A Monster Calls

Best Photography
Oscar Faura for A Monster Calls

Best Editing
Bernat Vilplana, Jaume Marti for A Monster Calls

Best Artistic Director
Eugenio Caballero for A Monster Calls

Best Costumes
Paola Torres for 1898. The End of the Philippines

Best Makeup and Hair
David Marti, Marese Langan for A Monster Calls

Best Sound
Marc Orts, Oriol Tarrago, Peter Glossop for A Monster Calls

Best Special Effects
Felix Berges, Pau Costa for A Monster Calls

Best Animated Feature
Psiconautas, los niños olivdados by Pedro Rivero and Alberto Vázquez

Best Documentary Feature
Fragil Equilibrio by Guillermo García-López

Best Ibero-American Film
El Ciudadano Ilustre by Gastón Duprat, Mariano Cohn

Best European Film
Elle by Paul Verhoeven

Best Fiction Short
Timecode by Juanjo Giemenz Peña

Best Documentary Short
Cabezas Habladoras by Juan Vicente Cordoba

Best Animated Short
Decorado by Alberto Vazquez

Honorary Goya
Ana Belén

Recent Spanish Cinema 2015

21st Spanish Film Festival

Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood - October 15-18, 2015

 

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15 at 7:30 - Opening Night

MARSHLAND     

LA ISLA MINIMA

2014, Outsider Pictures, 105 min, Spain, Dir: Alberto Rodriguez

Spain’s democracy was still on wobbly legs in 1980, particularly in the backwater of Andalusia where this tense crime drama is set. City policemen Juan (Javier Gutiérrez) and Pedro (Raúl Arévalo) are dispatched to the depressed rural area to investigate the disappearance of two sisters; the cops’ differing backgrounds – one a ruthless veteran, the other an idealistic rookie – lead to increasingly unsettling discoveries. Winner of 10 Goya Awards, including Best Film, Director, Lead Actor (Gutiérrez) and Cinematography (Alex Catalán’s aerial shots are truly dazzling). “This superbly crafted, richly textured thriller is one of the strongest Spanish films of the year.” - Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter. In Spanish with English subtitles.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 at 7:30 - Double Feature!

HAPPY 140

FELICES 140

2015, Latido Films, 98 min, Spain, Dir: Gracia Querejeta

 

                

Elia (Maribel Verdu) has just hit the jackpot – literally. One of the things she spends her 140 million Euro lottery prize on is a 40th-birthday bash in the Canary Islands, to which she invites a motley group of family and friends, including the ex she still pines for. But proximity to wealth can warp even the closest relationships, and the reunion soon takes a shocking turn. “Querejeta has assembled one of the best possible casts which Spanish cinema can provide.” - Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter. In Spanish with English subtitles.

SIDETRACKED

LAS OVEJAS NO PIERDEN EL TREN

2014, Film Factory, 103 min, Spain, Dir: Alvaro Fernandez Armero

 

                

The midlife crises of three Spanish couples provide the laughs in this gleeful ensemble comedy. Luisa (Inma Cuesta of THREE MANY WEDDINGS) and Alberto (Raúl Arévalo) move to the countryside, thinking it a better place to raise kids, though the change puts a damper on their sex life. Luisa’s sister (Candela Peña) and Alberto’s brother (Alberto San Juan) have their own relationship challenges - her obsessive pursuit scares men away, while his much-younger girlfriend is a little on the impulsive side. In Spanish with English subtitles.


FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16 at 8:00 - Spielberg Theatre

SHREW’S NEST

MUSARAÑAS

2014, Film Factory, 95 min, Spain/France, Dir: Juanfer Andrés, Esteban Roel

 

                

First-time feature directors Juanfer Andrés and Esteban Roel (and producer Alex De La Iglesia) lead viewers through a terrifying psychological maze in 1950s Spain. At its center is the apartment of Montse (Macarena Gómez, in one of the wildest performances you’ll see all year), who has raised her younger sister to the brink of adulthood. But agoraphobia and religious ritual have taken their toll on Montse, and when an injured young man (Hugo Silva) turns up at the door, help is the last thing she gives him. With Luis Tosar as the spectral father figure. In Spanish with English subtitles.


SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17 at 7:30 - Double Feature!

REQUIREMENTS TO BE A NORMAL PERSON

REQUISITOS PARA SER UNA PERSONA NORMAL

2015, 90 min, Spain, Dir: Leticia Dolera

 

 

Everybody tries to fit in, but few people go about it as methodically as Maria de las Montañas (writer-director Leticia Dolera), who hopes to reach normality through a seven-item checklist. Her mentally challenged younger brother (Jordi Llodrà) and overweight friend (Manuel Burque) seem to have most of the bases covered, and the success of Maria’s quest may boil down to just being herself. Brightly colored and boasting a jangly folk score from Luthea Salom, this romantic comedy is, as one might hope from its title, charmingly eccentric. Winner of the Best New Screenwriter, Cinematography and Editing Awards at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival. In Spanish with English subtitles.

OFF COURSE

PERDIENDO EL NORTE

2015, DeAPlaneta International, 102 min, Spain, Dir: Nacho Garcia Velilla

 

                

Hugo (Yon González) and Braulio (Julián López) both have university degrees and no jobs. They think they can escape the economic doldrums by leaving Spain for Germany, but what looked like a land of opportunity on TV presents more challenges to the two friends than they expected in this sparkling comedy. One of the most successful films of the year in Spain! In Castilian and German with English subtitles.


SUNDAY, OCTOBER 18 at 7:30 - Double Feature!

MAGICAL GIRL

2014, Films Distribution, 127 min, Spain/France, Dir: Carlos Vermut

 

                

Luis (Luis Bermejo) has a 12-year-old daughter with a terminal illness and a last wish – to have a dress just like the main character of her favorite Japanese anime series. The unemployed professor doesn’t have the money to purchase the dress, but thinks he can get it with a little help from a former teacher (José Sacristán) and an unbalanced young woman (Goya and Feroz winner Bárbara Lennie). Vermut’s sure directorial hand weaves multiple storylines together in this haunting (and occasionally intense) drama. In Spanish with English subtitles.

NOTHING IN RETURN

A CAMBIO DE NADA

2015, 6 Sales, 93 min, Spain, Dir: Daniel Guzmán

                

Seeking escape from his parents’ acrimonious divorce, teen Dario (Miguel Herrán) gets into minor scrapes with lifelong buddy Luismi (Antonio Bachiller) and finds a surrogate family in Madrid with a mechanic and a 90-year-old junk dealer. With his background as an actor, writer-director Guzmán has a sharp eye for detail, and this Málaga Best Film winner has an appealing naturalism from first frame to last. “A high-energy, feel-good movie with the warmest of hearts.” – Jonathan Holland, The Hollywood Reporter. In Spanish with English subtitles.