Retrospective of classic Spanish Realism Cinema at Instituto Cervantes

MANILA, Philippines - Spanish Cultural Center Instituto Cervantes de Manila features the best Spanish films of the 1950s as it presents “Realism in Spanish Cinema” — a film cycle that offers an understanding of how Spanish films use realist forms to address social and political issues such as social exclusion, war, and violence.

With the rise and establishment of young Spanish film directors in the early 50s and 60s, this four-film line-up is comprised of classic works selected for their artistic and historical merit. The film cycle, in Spanish with English subtitles, screens every Saturday, 4 p.m., at Instituto Cervantes’ Salon de Actos.

Showing on Sept. 10 is Juan Antonio Bardem’s Muerte de un ciclista (Age of Infidelity), a tragic story of a great adventurer who becomes the main attraction of a circus after being the lover of various important European men.

Then screening on Sept. 17 is the 1956 Spanish drama film titled Calle Mayor (The Lovemaker). The film follows the story of a group of friends from a provincial city who play tricks on each other to while away their boredom.

Closing the film cycle on Sept. 24 is the satirical movie El pisito (The Little Apartment) about the housing shortage in Madrid during the late ’50s.

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).

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.