The 2015 Brisbane Spanish Film Festival kicked off in style on Wednesday night (29 April) with a capacity crowd turning up at Palace Barracks Cinema for the smash hit comedy, 'Spanish Affair' and after-party.
Now in its eighteenth year, the festival has developed a solid following and this year’s programme delivers 38 outstanding contemporary Spanish language films over 15 days. From a documentary on soccer star Lionel Messi to Joaquín Llamas’ romance flick, 'Sorry If I Call You Love', through to the fierce tension of 'Dirty Hands', (produced by Spike Lee) the festival has something for all tastes.
Selecting 'Spanish Affair' for the Opening Night would have been an easy decision. This breezy, laugh-out-loud, romantic comedy has a lot going for it. Popular stand-up comic Dani Rovira plays the likeable but love-struck Rafa, while Clara Lago plays the feisty (and recently jilted) Amaia – the target of Rafa’s affections. While she initially rejects Rafa’s advances, things change when her father arrives unexpectedly and a highly convoluted deal is struck whereby Rafa pretends to be her fiancé for the three days of her father’s stay.
Social photos from the Brisbane Opening Night of the Spanish Film Festival.
This delightful comedy of errors is roll-in-the-aisle funny and it’s easy to see why it has become the biggest box office attraction in the history of Spanish cinema with nearly seven million tickets sold.
Once again Palace Barracks and Palace Centro Cinemas are hosting the festival with several special events on the programme, including the screening of quirky black comedy 'They Are All Dead' and 'Tango Glories' – both followed by an after-party offering a tempting mix of live performance, tapas, wine and beer.
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The Closing Night flick will be 'Wild Tales' from Director Damián Szifrón. This cinematic jewel won Best Foreign Film in the Spanish language at the 2015 Goyas and was nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the recent Academy Awards. Described by 'Variety' magazine as “wickedly delightful”, this darkly humorous suite of six vignettes is the perfect Closing Night attraction.
The Spanish Film Festival is on now at Palace cinemas around Australia, full film programme here.
SPANISH FILM FESTIVAL
Sydney – until 10 MayMelbourne – until 10 May
Brisbane – until 13 May
Canberra – until 6 May
Adelaide – until 20 May
Perth – until 6 May
Byron Bay – until 7 May
Hobart – until 13 May
