Five Films to See at the 2018 Spanish Film Festival

Overview

Stars, street dancing musicals and plenty of Spanish-language cinema treats: yes, it's that time again. 21 years since the Spanish Film Festival first showered Australian audiences with its filmic delights, it's celebrating the occasion in its usual vibrant style. That means 25 movies showcasing the best the country has to offer, from recent crowd-pleasers to beloved classics, side-splitting comedies to gothic fables, and beloved talents to new up-and-comers.

The list goes on, spanning Oscar winners, international hits and fresh discoveries alike as this year's event tours Australia until May 13. Whether you want to see two of Spain's biggest stars share the screen at two different points in their careers, revisit one of the biggest animated movies of the past six months or delve into the works of acclaimed Spanish filmmaker Bigas Luna, it's on the bill — including these five must-sees.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzRjIMt2Wl8

LOVING PABLO

From its titular drug baron subject, to its acclaimed Spanish director, to its high-profile stars, Loving Pablo comes to the Spanish Film Festival stacked with highlights. Here, Javier Bardem stars as Pablo Escobar opposite Penélope Cruz as journalist Virginia Vallejo — and while there's no shortage of movies telling the Colombian kingpin's tale, this one explores their romance. Helmed by A Perfect Day's Fernando León de Aranoa and based on Vallejo's memoir, it's an account of charisma, crime and trying to come out the other side in a world where violence and death threats are commonplace. Both leads were nominated for Spanish Academy Awards for their efforts, which shouldn't come as a surprise given their talents. Plus, if you're keen on another dose of the duo at the fest, they also feature in retrospective title Jamón Jamón.

THE TRIBE

There just aren't enough movies about cleaners turned street dancers, let alone cleaners turned street dancers who shoot to fame while strutting their stuff with the son they once put up for adoption. That's the story at the centre of The Tribe, and it's a truth-is-stranger-than-fiction scenario. Sure, it all sounds like something out of a feel-good, crowd-pleasing flick — which is exactly what this lively song-and-dance effort aims to be — however the film is based on a real-life dance troupe. There's more twists and turns to the on-screen tale, which features Spanish stars Carmen Machi and Paco León, but it isn't a spoiler to say that the actual group became a Spain's Got Talent hit.

JULIA IS

It's a scenario that everyone can relate to: you arrive in a new city with huge hopes and plenty of enthusiasm, but your new surroundings just don't match your dreams. In Julia Is, that's how the Catalan architecture student's arrival in Berlin starts; however, as anyone who has faced the same situation knows, sometimes you just have to persevere. In the directorial debut of filmmaker and star Elena Martín, the feature tracks Julia's efforts to do just that as she finds her place in the German capital. The film won best feature and best director at last year's Málaga Film Festival, and it's certain to achieve something unusual at the Spanish Film Festival — instead of inspiring a trip to Spain, it'll make you want to go to Germany.

ABRACADABRA

The last time that director Pablo Berger teamed up with actress Maribel Verdú, the enchanting Blancanieves was the end result. For their second collaboration, they're not dabbling with a different take on Snow White, but with ghosts. Expect something just as out-of-the-ordinary as their initial team-up, however, courtesy of a comedy that's also filled with horror flourishes, insightful commentary and an all-round offbeat air. That's what happens when Verdú's housewife attends a wedding with her husband, who then get possessed by the spirit of a murderous waiter. Unsurprisingly, the experience drastically alters his behaviour — and inspires plenty of laughs as well.

GOLD

No matter how many films chart treacherous treks through jungle landscapes, more keep coming. That's not a bad thing. As everything from Aguirre, the Wrath of God and Fitzcarraldo to The Lost City of Z and Jungle have demonstrated, there's something particularly alluring and fascinating about this sub-genre of movies, mirroring the obsession and passion of their protagonists. Gold is Spain's latest addition to the fold, not to be confused with the very average Matthew McConaughey flick of the same name from last year. Set in Central America in 1540, this adventure epic follows Spanish deserters trying avoid capture or death in their quest for freedom, with El Dorado their destination.