Jan 20, 2005
Jan 20, 2005
The Spanish short film industry is in the middle of an explosive and prolific era, responsible for the production of over 350 films and host to over 100 festivals a year.
Beginning on Tuesday, January 25, at 7:15 p.m. and every Tuesday in February thereafter at the same time, the King Juan Carlos I of Spain Center at New York University, located at 53 Washington Square South, will host a showcase of Spanish short films, entitled “Cine Sin Taquilla: Shorts and Documentaries.” Curated by Marta Sánchez, the works represent all regions of Spain, and this year are characterized by the filmmakers’ commitment to social issues. All films are subtitled in English and are free and open to the public.
A partial listing of film programs follows. For more specific information call 212.998.3650 or log on towww.nyu.edu/kjc. January 25: ShortMetraje Program I (part of the Spanish Film Series presented by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and Instituto Cervantes) Films include Ecosystem (Ecosistema), one of the most acclaimed Basque short films of the year. Other films to be screened: The Brave Little Girl (La Valiente); Midnight Express (El Expreso Nocturno), a hilarious comedy; and Physics II (Fiscia II), by Daniel Sánchez Arévalo, one of Spain’s most promising filmmakers; the film has been pre-selected for the Academy Awards.
February 1: ShortMetraje Program II: Films include: Hourglasses (Relojes de Arena), a 4-minute short acclaimed by the Venice Film Festival; The Kaleidoscope (El Caleidoscopio), a delicate story of gender in contemporary Spain; and Ivan’s See-Saw (El Balancin de Ivan), a film that has toured more than 300 film festivals including Cannes.
February 8: Loving Frenesí Program: Films that illustrate the difficulties and demands of love in Spain, including: Intensity (Intensidad); I’ll Water Your Petals with Tears (Regare con Lagrimas tus Petalos), winner of the Spanish Academy Award for “Best Animated Short”; and Archipelago (Archipielago), whose director won the support of Milos Forman and the James Bridges Development Award to make this piece.
February 15: Cine Compromiso Program: These films explore how Spaniards fight injustice and raise social awareness. Screenings include: Don’t Moan, My Friend (Amigo No Gima), nominated for a Goya Spanish Academy Award, about farewells and beginnings; and Binta and the Great Idea (Binta y la Gran Idea), part of a collaborative initiative with UNICEF, taking us to the heart of Africa.
February 22: Qué horror! Program: Horror films are an inspiration for many filmmakers, often serving as obscure desires, dark, attitudes, and unconscionable acts. Here are some. Films include: Cycle (Ciclo), the most internationally acclaimed Spanish horror film of the year; and Wallpaper (Papel de Pared), in which a husband a well-respected physician, assures his wife she suffers from slight hysteria. Is this the new Gaslight?