Spain in the Spotlight

At Dublin International Film Festival, we are proud to celebrate and bring the best of international film and bringing it to Irish audiences. This year is no different. To give you a flavour of some of what is to come, we are releasing a selection of Spanish films from a range of genres and time periods. Spain has a rich film culture and a wealth of talent when it comes to directors, actors and screenwriters which we hope to reflect via our Spanish Spotlight. 

This year For the 21st edition, we are thrilled to bring you a diverse programme of Spanish language screenings.  that represents some of the best in contemporary and retro Spanish film. 

“There is incredible diversity and strength in contemporary Spanish cinema which we are delighted to showcase in this years programme. From the excitement of Prison 77 and to the anger and passion of On the Fringe, while  The Beasts is quite simply stunning , one of the films of the year. Based on a recommendation from the Ambassador Spain to Ireland, Mr. Ion de la Riva, I tracked down the 4k restoration of the cult film Arrebato (Rapture”) the 1979 horror film written and directed by Iván Zulueta, which has been described as “an absolute modern classic” by Pedro Almodóvar himself. Don’t miss this opportunity to see it on the big screen.”

-Gráinne Humphreys, festival director

On the Fringe – Universally relatable, On the Fringe looks at the homeless crisis in Spain through the eyes of Rafe (Luis Tosar), an
eviction lawyer undertaking the arduous task of dealing with unsympathetic landlords. What emerges is a tense social thriller reminiscent of the work of Ken Loach or the Dardenne Brothers, as it follows three personal stories of people in
immediate crisis. This is actor Juan Diego Botto’s directorial feature debut – Spain’s finest, Penélope Cruz, produces and stars.

 BOOK HERE

Arrebato – Ivan Zulueta’s edgy 1979 Spanish arthouse horror is regarded as a cult classic, with the great Pedro Almodóvar among
its biggest fans. Recently remastered, it follows a frustrated film director whose addiction to heroin and complicated
relationship with his girlfriend is enough to give anyone the shivers. The story takes a supernatural turn when an old video recording reveals a spectral figure visiting the filmmaker during his sleep resulting in a strange arrebato, or rapture.

 BOOK HERE

The Beasts – A French couple seek a simpler way of life in this mystery thriller from filmmaker Rodrigo Sorogoyen (Madre). Olga and
Antoine have long settled in a picturesque village in Galicia – but their relationship with some locals is not as peaceful as they’d hoped for. When a dispute with neighbouring brothers escalates, there are terrible consequences in a film described by Screen International as: “A terrific psychological thriller and a brooding, muscular piece of filmmaking”.

BOOK HERE

Prison 77 – Based on the story of a real-life, audacious jail break attempt, Alberto Rodríguez’s gritty prison thriller is set in a notorious
institution in 1970s Barcelona. There, a young accountant facing embezzlement charges turns to an organisation fighting for the rights of prisoners. As the country at large takes steps towards democracy following the death of Franco, so too does the prisoners’ fight for better conditions – with much at stake during a time of unprecedented change.

BOOK HERE The full festival programme will be revealed on Tuesday 7th February at 1pm so make sure to put it in your calendars! Currently also available are our Season Tickets, priced at €220, that will give access to cinema screenings including one Gala or Special Event, as well as priority booking for this unmissable event. Cinema bundles are also available with 5 tickets for €55 and 10 tickets for €110 available!

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