The Last Circus - Alex de inglesia

OMG - This might be the most entertaining movie I've seen all season. I can't even try to explain what this movie is about and really it's probably better I don't....

Water spurts from artificial flowers, oversized mallets crash down on unsuspecting heads, children howl with laughter—when suddenly the circus is invaded by a troop of Spanish Republican soldiers. It’s 1937, and everybody, even clowns, must choose sides. Alex de la Iglesia’s audacious new film perceptively dismantles several myths of the Civil War while recounting—with his customary outrageous humor and startling visual wit—this tale of performers forced to become historical actors. Winner of the Silver Lion at this year’s Venice Film festival, as well as Best Screenplay.

Note: the Last Circus plays again this Wednesday at SPANISH CINEMA NOW at Filmlinc.com

Mataharis - Mucho Mas than I expected

Yesterday was the last day of the Spanish Cinema Now at Walter Reade. Every year we get treated to new work coming out of Spain. This year I managed to check out "Chaotica Ana", the new film from Julio Medem. One of my favorite directors (Sex y Lucia, Lovers of the Artic Circle), I was very dissapointed. I actually considered walking out of the end. It was completely over the top, a total cliche. "Doghead" by Santi Amodeo was much more interesting, a story of a an 18yr old suffering from a rare neurological order (I'm always a sucker for these types of movies). It was both funny, depressing, and visually unique. Lastly, yesterday I made it to see Mataharis...it was supposed to be good (said Aunt Maura from Spain) and it also starred spanish-euskedi actress/singer Nawja Nimri. The female directed film (Iciar Bollain) took us into the world of 3 female private detectives. It sounds a bit silly but it was more a film about spying and betrayal and the dillemma of scruples versus ambition. Overall much better than I expected to be and worth going all the way uptown to Lincoln Center (what a pain in the arse!) Nawja was great as were the other actresses. I just happen to be a bit obsessed with Nawja. In the late 90's she put out a very Tricky-esque record. She is beautiful in an off the beaten track type of way and typically she has good style. In the original "Abre Los Ojos" she plays the crazy girl that runs the the lead characters car off the rode. Remember the terrible job Cameron Diaz did in the american version???? Anyway, try to check out Mataharis if it ever comes out on NetFlix (doubtful).

Some pics of my girl Nawja:

SPAIN (UN)CENSORED at the MOMA

October 17 - November 5
SPAIN (UN)CENSORED
THE MUSEUM OF MODERN ART (MoMA), New York
LOCATION:
11 West 53 Street (between 5th and 6th Avenues)
This unique exhibition explores an era of Spanish cinema during the dictatorship of General Francisco Franco (1939-1975) that sidestepped the censors through dramatic stories and formally innovative films. This unique exhibition explores an era that fought for freedom through cinema. These titles include Death of a Cyclist (directed by Juan Antonio Bardem), Plácido (Luis García Berlanga), Nine Letters to Bertha (Basilio Martín Patino), My Dearest Señorita (Jaime de Armiñán), Poachers (José Luis Borau), and Viridiana (Luis Buñuel), among many others. Basilio Martín Patino and Jaime de Armiñán will be in attendance. All films are in Spanish, with English subtitles.