Many big budget Hollywood movies have been delayed till next year, much to the frustration of cinemagoers like you and me. The only good thing to emerge from this is that it has allowed smaller, independent films to shine.
Movie fans can now take the opportunity to see other types of films, including foreign-languange ones, never mind the social distancing, restrictions on the number of cinemagoers and limited runs.
If you are wondering what to watch in the coming two weeks, check out the Spanish Film Festival from Nov 5 to 15. To be held at FilmGarde Bugis+ in partnership with the Embassy of Spain, it’s your chance to watch some of the best Spanish films of 2019. While the selection is not as extensive as, say, its French cousin, there are still interesting gems worth watching. Just remember to bring your TraceTogether token (or download the app)!
Boi (PG13)
This is the festival opener, starring our very own Adrian Pang and Andrew Lua. It’s a black comedy about a young man called Boi who accepts a new job as a chauffeur. He must accompany his first clients, two Singaporean businessmen who have travelled to Barcelona in order to close a multimillion-dollar deal. Watch the trailer here.
A Thief’s Daughter (NC16)
This film won the Best Actress prize at the 2019 San Sebastian Film Festival and Best Breakout Director prize at the 34th Goya Awards. Greta Fernandez puts on a powerful performance as Sara, a young mother who is working on making a better life for herself and her younger brother. Just when her life seems to turn around for the better, her father, Manuel, decides to come back into their lives after years of absence and his release from prison. Watch the trailer here.
Bunuel In The Labyrinth Of The Turtles (R21)
This Spanish biographical animated film won Best Animation Film at the 34th Goya Awards. Based on a true story, it tells how the great surrealist filmmaker Luis Bunuel made his movie, Land Without Bread (a 1933 documentary on extreme poverty in one of Spain’s poorest areas). It blends 2D animation with the actual film for a compelling effect. Watch the trailer here.
The August Virgin (M18)
What’s a staycation like in Madrid? Watch this film to find out. The hot summer months in European cities usually see residents leaving in droves to go on vacation. Madrid is no different, and the city is empty except for tourists and a handful of undaunted locals. Thirty-something Eva belongs to the latter, and the film follows her as she spends the days exploring the area, visiting new places and meeting people. Watch the trailer here.
Fire Will Come (PG13)
Winner of the Un Certain Regard category at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, Fire Will Come is a pensive drama about Amador, a convicted pyromaniac who returns to his native village in the mountains of Galicia. A fire breaks out and Amador is accused of starting it by the villagers. Watch the trailer here.
Get the festival schedule here.
