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Las Acacias
New Argentinian cinema emerged after the Second World War with films that focused intently on the realities of Argentinian social and rural life, becoming political with the advent of social unrest in the late sixties and early seventies and succumbing temporarily to the seven years of suppression that followed military takeover in 1976. The return…
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Like Water For Chocolate
An adaptation of a novel by Laura Esquivel, ‘Como Agua Para Chocolate’ (Like Water for Chocolate) is a Latin American expression which refers to the near boiling temperature of water for use in the making of chocolate, and is, figuratively, a reference to passion. In this tale of early 20th century, pre-revolution Mexico, a family…
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The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
Newly restored for its fortieth anniversary, this influential Oscar-winning classic constitutes one of the finest achievements of one of cinema’s greatest directors, working in his intensely creative late period. This comedy of manners centres on a group of vividly drawn and outwardly respectable upper middle-class friends, who are continually thwarted in their attempt to have…
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Nostalgia for the Light
Breathtaking documentary that compares 2 groups of people searching for understanding of the past in the dry clear conditions of Chile’s Atacama Desert: astronomers study the universe and relatives search for remains of the Disappeared of Pinochet’s regime. A stunning, sad film with an end note of hope. Guzmán focuses on the similarities between astronomers…
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Spirit of the Beehive
In 1940s Spain a family of four live in an isolated farmhouse with window panes resembling the pattern of honeycomb. Father (a beekeeper and poet), and mother barely speak to each other and are disconnected from their two young daughters, little Ana (Ana Torrent) and her elder sister Isabel (Isabel Telleria). One day a rickety…
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Memories of Underdevelopment
It’s post-revolutionary Cuba, Sergio a middle class intellectual watches his parents and wife leave for Miami. Facing a life of adjustment, he disdainfully observes and reflects on change. His attraction to two women distract him. Skilful direction, performances and use of documentary footage earn this film top critical regard. Widely acclaimed as one of the…
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Even the Rain
A film within a film. Cast & crew descend upon a Bolivian town to make a low-budget movie about Columbus in America and the original exploitation of local people, and succeed in replicating that exploitation. Things fall apart as cheaply hired extras abandon filmmaking to protect their water rights from privatisation by a multinational company…
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Blancanieves
Based on the 1812 fairy tale Snow White by the Brothers Grimm, the story is set in a romantic vision of 1920s Andalusia. However, the film approaches storytelling through the integration of Spanish culture from characters’ names to traditions they follow. Additionally, it alludes to other fairy tales including Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood.…
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Wild Tales
Six short films within a film provide a blackly comic and highly enjoyable portrayal of middle class meltdown within what writer/director Szifron calls the “crazy system” and “corrupt space” of modern Argentina. The influence of co-producer Pedro Almodovar, who along with his brother funded the film, is evident; Szifron also cites the work of Steven…
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Marshland
In post-Franco Spain two detectives with conflicting political ideologies pair up to solve a murder case in a remote wetland area in the south of Spain. Their mutual mistrust is mirrored by the cold reception from reactionary locals. Brilliant edge-of-your seat detective thriller. Sight & Sound. 41 awards.
wimbledon film club
Language: Spanish
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