Instituto Cervantes showcases film series by Spain's Luis GarcÃa Berlanga
MANILA, Philippines - Before the international success of Spanish filmmakers Pedro Almodóvar and Alejandro Amenabar, there was Luis García Berlanga (1921–2010). And in honor of his recent death, Instituto Cervantes de Manila gives tribute to Berlanga’s film gems this whole month of February, every Saturday, 6 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes’ Salon de Actos.
Gaining critical recognition worldwide, several Spanish countries are making headway in the world of cinema with their unique and rich cinematic style. Berlanga, who spearheaded the transformation of the Spanish cinema after the Spanish Civil War, is often regarded as one of the pioneers of modern cinema in Spain.
This special film cycle highlights the different period of Berlanga’s career. It opens on February 5 with “Bienvenido Mr. Marshall (Welcome Mr. Marshall, 1952),” Berlanga’s first full-length solo directorial debut. The film recounts the story of a small Spanish town, Villar del Río, which hears of the visit of American diplomats and begins preparations to impress the American visitors in the hopes of benefitting under the Marshall Plan.
Showing on February 12 is Berlanga’s Oscar-nominated film, “Plácido, (1961),” a satirical movie about a Spanish town in which all the wealthy ladies decide to invite a poor person at Christmas Eve dinner.
Plácido Then screening on February 19 is the 1985 comedy on the Spanish Civil War titled “La vaquilla (The Heifer).” The film narrates the story of how five soldiers from the Republican army decide ruin a town fiesta and steal the heifer.
Closing the film cycle on February 26 is Berlanga’s Goya-winning film, ”Todos a la carcel (Everyone Off to Jail, 1993). This humorous film, set in a Valencia prison, tells the story of a promoter who decides to organize a gala dinner to pay tribute to the political prisoners of the Franco repression. Every one at the dinner comes with his own agenda and it isn’t long before anything that can go wrong does go wrong.
This film cycle is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, and Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID).
Todos a la carcel Admission to all the screenings is free on a first-come-first-served basis. For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.
