( Un Mapa ) Catalan CINEMA is one of the oldest nations in Europe, currently an autonomous community of , with a strong cultural and political heritage. Increasingly, here is a cinema that is less conventional than that of Spain or even the films of Pedro Almodóvar – which We hope to welcome director Ventura Pons to the screening. is not to say that they are inaccessible to general audiences. The legacy of the Spanish Civil War hangs heavily in the filmmaking of the region, but is interpreted in many different ways. In this overview, Barcelona SAT BARCELONA (UN MAPA) is based on a stage production by Lluïsa Cunillé, which director we highlight some extraordinary work from seven Catalan directors: 22 Ventura Pons was compelled to bring to the cinema, entranced by its dialogue and (Un Mapa) (CFF15) relationships. In doing so he has maintained much of the intensity and claustrophobia of from complex comedy to vibrant artistic cinema, these are directors 5.30pm pushing to the edge of what cinema can achieve. the production in a series of five duets centring on an elderly couple who rent rooms in Director: Ventura Pons. Starring: Núria their apartment to three people. Each conversation reveals more about the couple until Espert, Josep Maria Pou, Rosa Maria the final conversation, when long held secrets are released. The cadence of the dialogue Thanks to Ramon Lamarca for all his knowledge, advice, help Sardà, María Botto. Catalonia 2007. is enthralling and the performances magical. While the human may seem far- and support in delivering this season. Additional thanks to the 90 mins. Catalan with English subtitles. fetched, the resonance with the images of General Franco that open the piece lead to the Print source: Catalan Films Institut Ramon Llull and Catalan Films & TV. film as metaphor for the recent history of Catalonia. A fascinating .

UK

Premiere

We hope to welcome producer Toni Espinosa to the screening.

The Body In FRI Black Bread (CFF 18) FRI SAT The Night Elvis Died TUE Thanks For The Tip (CFF 15) MON The Woods (CFF 18) 14 (Pa Negre) 14 22 (CFF 18) 18 (Gracies Per La Propina) 17 8.30pm 5.30pm 8.30pm 8.00pm 8.15pm (Un Cos Al Bosc) Director: Agustí Villaronga. Starring: Francesc (La Nit Que Va Morir L’Elvis) Director: Francesc Bellmunt. Starring: Santiago Ramos, Juli Mira, Lluís Ferrer. Catalonia 1997. 117 mins. Catalan Director: Joaquim Jordà. Starring: Rossy de Palma, Ricard Borràs, Colomer, Marina Comas, Nora Navas. Catalonia 2010. Director: Oriol Ferrer. Starring: David Bagés, Pere Cuscó, Eli Iranzo. with English subtitles. Núria Prims. Catalonia 1996. 90 mins. Catalan with English subtitles. 108 mins. Catalan with English subtitles. Catalonia 2010. 104 mins. Catalan with English subtitles. Print source: Catalan Films Print source: Catalan Films Print source: Beta Cinema Print source: Enunai produccions Aureli is a solitary, extremely sensitive man. He is in a dark place Jordà was a well-established, internationally renowned documentary Spain’s submission for the Best Foreign Language Oscar is the first Catalan film director Francesc Bellmunt adapts Valencian writer with a violent memory locked away. Maria is directing a very maker, but he made a short foray into the world of fiction with this film in the to win the Goya for Best Film as well as Ferran Torrent’s book about two orphan brothers who are raised important Passion play production. Dark forces are afoot and the exceptional thriller. Set deep in the woodlands of Catalonia, some in eight other categories. It is set during the aftermath of the civil by their uncles in a Valencian village in Franco’s fascist Spain. production is under threat, from funding and strange occurrences. hunters discover the corpse of a young woman who has been brutally war, and against the backdrop of the beautiful Catalan countryside. Mediterranean charm and warmth abound in this film that As the wheels of destiny turn, Aureli’s memories start to return. murdered. Sent to investigate is lieutenant Cifuentes, a woman in Beneath this beauty lies the debris of nationwide conflict. A young showcases Bellmunt’s skills for comedy, with splendid photography Owing much to Wim Wenders’ PARIS TEXAS (Aureli is a distant cousin a man’s world. As her investigation proceeds, she uncovers the boy, Andreu, finds the corpses of a man and his son in the forest. The in scope and a score by famous Catalan jazz pianist Manel Camp. of the Harry Dean Stanton role), THE NIGHT ELVIS DIED, is a bizarre dark and dirty secrets of the town. With twists and turns this is an authorities want his father to be made responsible for the deaths, but The family saga portrayed in this film represents the desire slice of Catalan culture, mixing religion, aggressive forces and off excellent thriller, written and directed with intelligence. Andreu tries to help his father by finding out who truly killed them. for freedom in an era when Spain was dominated by a dictator From a shocking opening, Villaronga follows his themes of childhood, the wall humour with the legacy of the Spanish Civil War just under (Franco) and an oppressive religion (mostly) in connivance with war, horror and guilt in a powerful film. the surface. Franco’s regime.

56 CATALANSEASON www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk Box office: 0871 902 5720 CATALANSEASON 57 Recalling the heady, trashy heyday of the infamous Scala Cinema – one of London’s most famous repertory/arthouse cinemas – SCALA BEYOND is part of a free-form, nationwide film season celebrating all forms of cinema exhibition across the UK. SCALA BEYONDwww.scalabeyond.com Santa Sangre (18) FRI Director: Alejandro Jodorowsky. Starring: Axel Jodorowsky, 14 Blanca Guerra, Guy Stockwell. Italy/Mexico 1989. 123 mins. 10.45pm V.O.S. (CFF 15) SAT Warsaw Bridge (CFF 15) SUN FRI Print source: Mr Bongo Recognised as one of the greatest horror films of all time, SANTA SANGRE is Director: Cesc Gay. Starring: Àgata Roca, Vicenta N’Dongo, 15 (Pont De Varsòvia) 16 21 a terrifying and psychedelic experience, where circus horrors cross over into Andrés Herrera, Paul Berrondo. Catalonia 2009. 87 mins. 8.30pm 6.40pm 2.00pm Director: . Starring: Carme Elias, everyday life. Divided into a flashback and a flash-forward, the film tells the Catalan/Spanish with English subtitles. Francisco Guijar and . Catalonia 1990. story of Fenix, a patient in a mental hospital, and his shattered past as a boy Print source: Catalan Films 85 mins. Catalan with English subtitles. growing up in a circus, and his vengeful life beyond the asylum. From the In a similar wavelength to that of Spike Jonze, Charlie Kaufman Print source: Films 59 celebrated director of EL TOPO, this is unlike any film ever made; an epic and and Michael Gondry, Cesc Gay directs a very charming and original This is a film that is impossible to describe, but was beautifully surreal odyssey of beauty and madness. A show not to be missed. example of a film within a film (the title refers to the acronym for praised by SILENCE OF THE LAMBS director, Jonathan Demme: “I was “I am reminded by Alejandro Jodorowsky that true psychic horror is Original Version with Subtitles). Clara and Manu are having a baby lucky enough to first see Warsaw Bridge in Barcelona in 2000 as part possible on the screen – horror, poetry, surrealism, psychological pain and together and Ander and Vicky are romantically involved. However, of a retrospective of Portabella’s work. I was literally freaked and said, wicked humour, all at once.” Roger Ebert appearances deceive in this film where the drama is played out ‘Who? Pere Portabella? Used to produce Buñuel films? How could a against the background of a film being made, so it is not clear what rich and dazzling and sumptuous film such as this remain so utterly Un Chant D’Amour (18) is reality and what is drama. It has to be seen to be understood. unknown in my country? The exquisite images, the superbly rendered Director: Jean Genet. Starring: Java, Coco Le Martiniquais and With great coup de cinema, the audience is kept guessing and never music, the bravura style, this bold narrative, the great performances, Lucien Sénémaud. France 1950. 26 mins. allowed to settle into this very different romantic comedy. the perfection of the totality of this unique and vibrant wonderland of Print source: BFI a film...?” As one reviewer said, time to get excited about film again. Two prisoners in adjacent cells use an unusual means of communication to overcome their isolation – but the jealous and sadistic prison guard proves a tougher obstacle. Genet’s only film as director, and banned for years, UN CHANT D’AMOUR is a silent, poetic, and intensely physical vision of LET US ENTERTAIN YOU... homosexual desire.

CB - CAMBRIDGE’S Thundercrack! (CFF 18) SAT BRILLIANT FREE MONTHLY WHAT’S ON - FREE 22 Director: Curt McDowell. Starring: Marion Eaton, Melinda McDowell ENTERTAINMENT GUIDE WITH THE and George Kuchar. USA 1975. 120 mins approx. 10.30pm Print source: n/a EVERY THURSDAY If John Waters had remade THE OLD DARK HOUSE as a hardcore pornographic black comedy whilst under the influence of Paul Morrissey and the Marx Brothers, it might have turned out something like this. It’s a dark and stormy night, and a seemingly endless stream of travellers take refuge at the house of the very drunk and somewhat insane Mrs Hammond – a house apparently replete with sex toys – but things get really out of hand when the circus animals turn up. Co-written by George Kuchar, king of underground porno kitsch, this symphony of sleaze shares his distinctly low-fi aesthetic, featuring clearly fake sets and ‘bad’ acting, and exploiting every possible opportunity for improbable sexual interaction between its parodic protagonists. Packed with absurdities, bad taste jokes and graphic CAMBRIDGE-NEWS.CO.UK/WHATSON sex, THUNDERCRACK! is definitely NOT for the faint of heart! CHECK OUT THE LATEST PREVIEWS, Hold Me While I’m Naked (15) INTERVIEWS AND LIVE REVIEWS ON THE AREA’S Director: George Kuchar. Starring: Starring: Donna Kerness, George Kuchar and Stella Kuchar. USA 1966. 17 mins. BUSIEST ENTERTAINMENT WEBSITE Print source: Lux A camp classic from the director whose salacious shorts caused his banishment from the New York Eight Millimeter Motion Picture Club. The sudden, unplanned departure of lead actress Donna Kerness due to excessive shower scenes swiftly becomes the subject of the film. WE’VE GOT ENTERTAINMENT COVERED! Box office: 0871 902 5720 SCALABEYOND 59