The inaugural Spanish Film Festival opens in Auckland this Thursday: May 18th – to 26th at Rialto Newmarket.
Roaring along in Australia for 14 years, this year they’ve expanded to Auckland with a line-up featuring 17 films (primarily from Spain, but also from other Spanish-speaking nations – Chile, Venezuela and Mexico). For the full-line-up and screening times see www.spanishfilmfestival.com.
Quick chat with Natalia Ortiz, Festival Director
Natalia Ortiz is the Festival Director for Australia – currently in its 14th year and shows in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane and Canberra – and now Auckland.
FLICKS: For those new to modern Spanish cinema, what might an audience expect?
NATALIA: Spanish cinema is incredible modern and varied. You can watch an innovative and provocative documentary like Fake Orgasm, stunning animation such as Chico and Rita or an impressive drama like Biutiful. What the Spanish Film Festival will offer New Zealand audiences is a contemporary, modern, challenging cinematic experience.
FLICKS: What are your personal favourites from the line-up?
NATALIA: Multiple storyline comedy/drama 18 Meals, Guillermo del Toro produced thriller Julia’s Eyes, culinary comedy Bon Appetit, Chilean drama The Life of Fish and of course opening night film, Biutiful.
FLICKS: The Spanish Film Festival has begun in Australia, what have been the audience favourites so far?
NATALIA: We just started last week in Sydney and Melbourne, so is a bit early to say. But so far so good. Many sessions have sold out and I can guess which ones would be the picks but let’s see…
FLICKS: This is an exciting addition to Auckland’s film festival circuit, how did it come about and are their plans to expand to other cities in the future?
I have been thinking to expand to New Zealand for quite a while but it has always being postponed, year after year for budget issues. Finally we got the full support of the Embassy of Spain in New Zealand and confirmed some key sponsors and the dream has been possible. We have had offers already, without opening yet, to expand to other cities in New Zealand which of course I have accepted! It is very exiting, but lets first enjoy and finish the first Festival and then plan for 2012! Should we?
Our picks…
Flicks is particularly excited about twice-Oscar nominated drama Biutiful, starring the awesome Javier Bardem (No Country For Old Men) who won Best Actor for this role at Cannes and directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu (Babel, 21 Grams)…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdWz1IFEv4k
Multiple Audience Award winning Brother, from Venezuela…
Winner of 9 Goya Awards (Spanish Oscars) including Best Director, Picture and Screenplay: family drama, Black Bread…
… and animated adult drama Chico and Rita, which uses hand-drawn and CG animation.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZTWxB9hRjwI
WHERE: Rialto Cinemas Newmarket
WHEN: May 18th to 26th
GET ON IT: Session details and bookings at Rialto Cinemas, or www.spanishfilmfestival.com
