MANILA, Philippines—For decades Film noir has been a constant presence in Spanish cinema. This film cycle shows several recent approaches of the Spanish film industry to the genre.
The cycle kicked off on the 24th of January, at 2pm, with one of the masterpieces of contemporary Spanish cinema –the gripping “Celda 211,” directed by David Monzón in 2009. It relates the story of two men on different sides of a prison riot—the inmate leading the rebellion and the young guard trapped in the revolt, who poses as a prisoner in a desperate attempt to survive the ordeal.
An artistic and commercial success, “Celda 211” won around 30 international awards, eight Goya Awards among them—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Luis Tosar) and Best Adapted Screenplay.
Along with that original masterpiece, the line-up of “Cine negro español” features two more films tackling some of the typical issues of the genre, such as crime or corruption.
The well-acted drama “No habrá paz para los malvados (No Rest for the Wicked),” directed by Enrique Urbizu in 2011, will be shown on Saturday, January 31, at 2pm. The film tells the story of a Santos Trinidad (played by José Coronado), a cop who had an outstanding record but was relegated after an obscure incident that ruined his career and turned him into an alcoholic and angry loner. One night Santos finds himself implicated in a triple homicide in an after-hours club…
José Coronado’s monumental performance rewarded him several prizes, as Urbizu’s fine directing won him a Goya Award as the Best Director and Best Screenplay. All in all, No habrá paz para los malvados received more than 30 awards and nominations.
Directed by Patxi Amezcua in 2009, 25 kilates will conclude the film cycle on January 31 at 4pm. The movie focuses on a young girl who is a thief, and her crooked dad, who is in trouble. To top it off they get attached to a debt collector whose life is in turmoil too. Together they hatch a plan to solve their problems. The movie bagged the Best Film Award at the Málaga Spanish Film Festival.
All films will be shown in their original version in Spanish with English subtitles. The screenings will take place at the Salón de Actos of Instituto Cervantes, 855 T.M. Kalaw, Ermita, Manila. Entrance is free on a first-come, first-served basis. For further information please log on to Instituto Cervantes’ website www.manila.cervantes.es or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila, or call 526-1482.
