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 This year’s SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL – presented by the Instituto Cervantes – offers more of the diverse fare that it has built its reputation on over the last decade or so. With features, documentaries and short films, few punters will be disappointed. TIM MILFULL samples a few excellent features, concluding that Brisbane has much to look forward to this year.
Those heading along to the Opening Night Fiesta for the 2008 Spanish Film Festival will be treated to the award-winning film Siete mesas de billar francés (Seven Billiard Tables), a delicious tapas menu, and live entertainment. Sharing the writing credits with David Planell, director Gracia Querejeta has created a sensitive portrayal of woman rebuilding her life after the death of her estranged father and the disappearance of her husband. Maribel Verdú – last seen in the extravagant Pan’s Labyrinth – plays Ángela, a newly-single mother with no real prospects, and a defunct billiards hall offering the only promise of a future. With her smart-mouthed nine-year-old Antonio (Jesús Castejón), Ángela returns to the home of her youth, and convinces some nervous old men, and some slightly younger women to join her in revitalising the old hall. Concentrating more on interpersonal relationships than on billiards, Seven Billiard Tables is one of those very satisfying human dramas.
On an even more intimate scale, Lo Mejor de mí (The Best Of Me) asks how far one woman will go to prove her love for her boyfriend. Radio journalist Raquel (Márian Álvarez) thinks her relationship with professional athlete Tomás (Juan Sanz) is going swimmingly, until he passes out unexpectedly at a training session. Tests reveal a particularly nasty case of hepatitis – not that unusual, considering the gentleman’s penchant for playing around – and Raquel finds herself questioning the extent of her support, and the lengths she will take to keep the relationship alive.
Those looking for some thrills and intrigue should consider La Habitación de Fermat (Fermat’s Room) – the geeks among us will recognise Fermat as a groundbreaking mathematician. But this film is all about geeks, with a small group of high-achieving mathematicians invited to a weekend math exercise in the country. They find more than they bargained for, however; the isolated venue is actually an elaborate trap that only the most intelligent will escape with their lives. The most intriguing element of their imprisonment is that one of them orchestrated the whole affair.
Perhaps the most striking film in the series I previewed is also the most difficult to categorise without spoiling its effect. [Rec] – the opening credits show the title as =Rec – is a co-production from directors Jaume Balagueró and Paca Plaze, who both have a solid grounding in horror. Entering similar territory as the recent blockbuster Cloverfield, =Rec has the bubbly journalist (Ángela) working the nightshift and covering what goes on after dark at the local fire station. She and her unseen cameraman head out on a ride-along that ends in terror and tragedy for all concerned, and I must admit, I was more than a little unnerved during my recent late night viewing of this film. I’d never realised that one of the downsides of not speaking Spanish means that the importance of reading subtitles to keep up with the story also means that you can’t hide your eyes from the onscreen horror. Spanish zombies? Who would have guessed it? If that’s not enough, audiences will have the opportunity to take a sneak peak at another creepy film, El Orfanato (The Orphanage) from Juan Antonio Bayona. This one will have its cinematic release later in 2008. Expect a sub-par Hollywood remake of both of these films within twelve months…
That’s all I was able to preview, but given the quality of this small sample, the 2008 SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL promises to be the best yet. It runs May 21-25 at Palace Centro Cinemas. For more details check the website: www.spanishfilmfestival.com
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