Overview
Spanish-speaking countries boast cultures and histories as rich as they are diverse. From Al Andalus's unique cuisine and art produced by its religious and cultural harmony, to Mexico's el Día de los Muertos, to pre-Incan art and craft in present-day Peru, there is plenty of reason to celebrate and experience these beautiful cultures. So, should you head along to the 15th anniversary of the Spanish Film Festival, you can expect to see films quite unlike any you've seen before — some touching, some inspiring, some quirky, some hilarious, but all distinct.
Because you might not have time to devote three weeks to watching every film, we've picked the best five films at the Spanish Film Festival that you really have to see.
1. As Luck Would Have It
Wednesday 4 July and Saturday 7 July at the Palace Theatre, Leichardt
Opening the Spanish Film Festival this year is Álex de la Iglesia's As Luck Would Have It, a satire of today's sensation-hungry media. Starring Salma Hayek and Jose Mota, As Luck Would Have It revolves around an advertising executive's attempt to sell his story to the media after he suffers a life-debilitating accident. Coming from the 2012 Berlinale and named Indiewire's jewel of the Tribeca film festival, there is no better film to open such a promising festival.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=gIV3t6cyGM0
2. Wrinkles
Thursday 5 July at Chauvel Cinema or Saturday 7 July at The Palace
Ignacio Ferreras's animated feature Wrinkles is an adaptation of Paco Roba's graphic novel of the same name about two elderly men fighting off Alzheimer's. Praised for its brilliance, recipient of Best Animation and Best Screenplay at the 2012 Goya Awards, and shortlisted for Oscar nomination, Wrinkles is a touching film that you should not miss.
3. Chinese Takeaway
Friday 6 July at Chauvel or Sunday 8 July at the Palace
In Sebastián Borensztein's Chinese Takeaway, an unlikely friendship blossoms between the bitter owner of a hardware store and a lost Chinese man who cannot speak Spanish. Winning Best Film and the Audience award at the Rome International Film Festival, Chinese Takeaway is a quirky film which has been called a Spanish Amélie.
4. Fisherman
Tuesday 10 July or Saturday 14 July at the Palace
Filmmaker Sebastián Cordero's road movie is a perfect mix of comedy and drama about a fisherman who stumbles onto a Colombian beauty and a box of cocaine, and their journey as they escape the village in search of a better life.
5. Saving Private Perez
Sunday 8 July at the Palace or Tuesday 10 July at Chauvel
A smash hit in Mexico, Saving Private Perez is a poke at over-the-top action movies. With the head of a Mexican drug cartel who can't resist his mother, Bandido commandos, a young killer extracted from a maximum-security prison, and a couple of Russians invading Iraq to bring an American GI home, Béto Gomez's comedy is set to make you roar in laughter.
The Spanish Film Festival goes from July 5 to July 26. See the festival website for the full program.