Category: Spain
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CET OBSCUR OBJET DU DESIR aka THAT OBSCURE OBJECT OF DESIRE
That Obscure Object of Desire (Cet obscur objet du désir) is a 1977 surreal, darkly comedic drama directed by the legendary Spanish filmmaker Luis Buñuel in his final film. The movie is an adaptation of Pierre Louÿs’ 1898 novel La Femme et le Pantin (The Woman and the Puppet), delving into themes of obsession, desire,…
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LUCIA Y EL SEXO aka SEX AND LUCIA
“Sex and Lucia” (Spanish: “Lucía y el sexo”) is a Spanish erotic drama film released in 2001, written and directed by Julio Medem. The film stars Paz Vega as Lucía, Tristán Ulloa as Lorenzo, Najwa Nimri as Elena, Daniel Freire as Carlos, and Elena Anaya as Belén.The story is a complex, non-linear narrative that interweaves…
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MADRES PARALELAS aka PARALLEL MOTHERS
“Parallel Mothers” (“Madres Paralelas”) is a Spanish drama film released in 2021, directed and written by Pedro Almodóvar. The film stars Penélope Cruz, Milena Smit, Israel Elejalde, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, and Rossy de Palma. The story revolves around two women, Janis (Penélope Cruz) and Ana (Milena Smit), who form a deep bond after meeting in a…
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THE BLOOD SPATTERED BRIDE
“The Blood Spattered Bride” (La Novia Ensangrentada) is a 1972 Spanish horror film directed by Vicente Aranda. It is based on the novella “Carmilla” by Sheridan Le Fanu. The film is a gothic horror tale that explores themes of sexuality, repression, and the supernatural through a feminist lens. The story begins with a newlywed couple, Susan (Maribel…
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SHORT FILM: LA CABINA (THE TELEPHONE BOX)
“La Cabina” is a Spanish short film directed by Antonio Mercero. It was released in 1972 and has become a classic in Spanish cinema. The film is known for its suspense, satire, and social commentary blend. The film opens with a seemingly ordinary day in a bustling city. A man (played by José Luis López…
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TIE ME UP! TIE ME DOWN!
“Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” is a 1989 darkly comedic Spanish film directed by Pedro Almodóvar and features a brilliant ensemble cast including Antonio Banderas, Victoria Abril, and Loles León. The film follows the unconventional love story of Ricky (Antonio Banderas), a former mental patient, and Marina (Victoria Abril), a former porn actress. Ricky…
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SEXY BEAST
“Sexy Beast,” directed by Jonathan Glazer in 2000, is an intense British crime thriller that explores themes of masculinity, power, and the consequences of a life of crime. The film boasts a stellar cast that includes Ray Winstone, Ben Kingsley, Ian McShane, and Amanda Redman. The story centers around Gary “Gal” Dove (Ray Winstone), a…
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VAMPYROS LESBOS
“Vampyros Lesbos,” directed by Jesús Franco, is a cult classic that combines elements of eroticism and horror in a surreal and visually stunning narrative. The film features a seductive cast led by Soledad Miranda, Ewa Strömberg, and Dennis Price.The story centers on Linda Westinghouse (Ewa Strömberg), a London lawyer tasked with settling the estate of…
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ONE ON TOP OF THE OTHER aka PERVERSION STORY
“One on Top of the Other” (aka “Perversion Story”) is a suspenseful and atmospheric thriller directed by Lucio Fulci. The film is set in 1970s Italy and delves into a web of deception, murder, and identity, following a complex and enthralling mystery. A successful and respected neurosurgeon, Dr. George Dumurrier (played by Jean Sorel), is…
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A LIZARD IN A WOMAN’S SKIN
The 1971 film “A Lizard in a Woman’s Skin,,” sometimes referred to as “Lizard in a Woman’s Skin,” directed by Lucio Fulci, is a suspenseful Italian Giallo film that delves into the dark corners of the human mind and blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. Set in London during the early 1970s, the story…
The Other Cinema 