A Short Introduction to Spanish Film

Spanish cinema was born in 1896 after a Eduardo Jimeno Correas was commissioned to film the now famous 'Salida de misa de doce del Pilar de Zaragoza' which was simply a one minute recording of people leaving the famous basilica after midday mass. 

Later that year the prolific filmmaker Fructuós Gelabert directed “Riña en un café”, which is essentially just a fight outside a small cafe:

And Spanish cinema was born. 

Segundo de Chomón was the first Spanish director to achieve international success outside of Spain. Who, in France and in Italy, produced an extensive filmography between 1902 and 1927. He is generally regarded as being the man who developed Spanish film making into the international force which it has remained since. 

The next milestone in the history of Spanish cinema came about in 1973 when director Luis Buñuel became the first Spaniard to win an Oscar for best foreign language film with his hit movie “El discreto encanto de la burguesía”, which translates as The discreet charm of the bourgeoisie, it was also nominated for best original screenplay.

The 70s were a successful time for Spanish filmmakers as with Oscar nominations in both 1971 and 1978.

Today Spanish film enjoys a seat at the top table of international film production. Fernando Trueba, José Luis Garci and Pedro Almodóvar, the three giants of Spanish cinema have, between them have accumulated 4 Oscars and a wealth of nominations. Lately the most critically acclaimed of these has been Pedro Almodóvar: winner of an Oscar, 4 BAFTAs and 3 GOYAs, which are the Spanish language version of the Oscars. His most famous works include: Volved, The Skin I live in and his masterpiece Hable con Ella, or Talk to Her in English.

Other noteworthy Spanish directors of recent times and their films include:

The most prominent and successful Spanish actors outside of Spain are undoubtedly Antonio Banderas and Javier Bardem. Banderas is probably most famous for his roles in Zorro and the Shrek series, and has appeared in numerous major Hollywood films. Javier Bardem is unquestionably most renowned for his Oscar winning performance in No Country for Old Men - and never was an Oscar more richly deserved, if you ask me. As far as the most well-know Spanish actress is concerned you need look no further than Penelope Cruz. Born in Madrid, to those outside she is known as the "Spanish Enchantress", despite winning an Oscar for Vicky Cristina Barcelona, she is perhaps better known for roles in Pirates of the Caribbean and Vanilla Sky.

Admittedly, Spanish films aren't as popular at the box-office as their blockbuster Hollywood counterparts, some would even argue that in the Spanish language genre Mexican movies are more well renowned, but Spanish made movies account for around 20% of box-office takings, which is a lot higher than we enjoy here, in the UK.

The future is bright for Spanish film-making owing to the huge wealth of popular TV series', of which the country has produced many in recent years. This, in turn, has produced a great pool of young talent actors, directors or writers - which will hopefully lead to many another Spanish hit film being produced in the future.

So, what is your favourite Spanish language film? Please comment below.