2009 02 22 - Todos a la Cárcel (Everyone to Jail) by Luis García Berlanga

Todos a la cárcel (Everyone to Jail)
1993 99mins Format In Spanish with English subtitles Rating TBA Directed by: Luis García Berlanga
Summer 1993: A group of cultural event organisers plan to celebrate the International Political Prisoners Day for which they choose the prison of Valencia. Amongst the guests, politicians, artists and entertainers are to be found, and even some Spanish jet setters. These people will have to spend the night in prison cells where, during Franco's dictatorship, rape, torture and other such acts of oppression took place. The act of "fraternity and protest against the injustices of the past, of today and always" is a failure. Solidarity with the prisoners is just an excuse for the common and selfish exercise of social climbing and arrogance.
Awards: Goya 1994: Best Film, Best Director and Best Sound, Cinema Writers Circle Spain 1994: Best Director and Best Actor (José Sazatornil).
Festivals: San Juan Cinemafest (Puerto Rico) 1994, etc.

2009 02 22 - Los amantes del circulo polar

Los Amantes del Circulo Polar (Lovers of the Arctic Circle)
1998 112mins Format In Spanish with English subtitles Rating TBA Directed by: Julio Medem
A tale of passionate and secret love told by each of the protagonists, Ana and Otto, from the age of eight to the age of twenty-five. Otto and Ana are kids when they meet each other. Their names are palindromes. They meet by chance, people are related by chance. A story of circular lives, with circular names, and a circular place (Arctic Circle) where the day never ends in the midnight sun. There are things that never end, and Love is one of them.
Awards: Goya 1998: Editing and Original Score, Nominated Golden Lion Venice 1998, Audience Award, Athens 2000: Best Film, Cinema Writers Circle Awards (Spain) 1999: Best Editing.
Festivals: Toronto Film Festival 1998, Venice Film Festival, 1998, Sundance USA 1999.

2009 02 22 - Bienvenido Mister Marshall by Luis Garcia Berlanga

Bienvenido Mr Marshall (Welcome Mr. Marshall)
1953 95mins Format In Spanish with English subtitles Rating TBA Directed by: Luis García Berlanga
Villar del Río is around of the mill Castilian town…. Forgotten, poor and living in monotonous tranquillity. Life in the town is turned upside down when a government official announces that a committee of the Marshall Plan is going to arrive at any moment and the town must be ready to receive “the Americans”. The town converts itself into a stage Andalucian village with cardboards and decorations. All dream of the wishes about to come true when the Americans shower dollars on them. At last the great moment – the Americans arrive.
Awards: Cannes 1953: Best Humorous Comedy and Best Screenplay, Cinema Writers Circle Spain, 1953: Best plot and Best Music.
Festivals: Cannes 1953, San Sebastian 1953, etc.