SUBSCRIBEAlejandro Amenabar films
Alejandro Amenabar master storyteller, talented and multiawarded director and composer. His films have captivated me starting with The Others and continued with his other three full feature films. It is the exciting storyline with various twists and turns, his daringness in embarking on those that are somewhat surreal and the life that he breathes into his film just awes me.
The Others, 2001
This was my first taste of an Amenabar film, his first English film debut, and frankly, I was so taken by the mastery of this director that I watched it twice when it was screened here. This coupled with great cinematography, acting and the twist at the end of the film. Its not your usual horror film but the way the spookiness was delivered: mood, music, visuals, sound was just awesome!
Abre los ojos (Open Your Eyes), 1997
Vanilla Sky, Tom Cruise’s adaptation whetted my appetite and curiousity about the original film Spanish work (and a virtual remake of Hitchcock’s Vertigo). It was months later that I was able to watch this and I should say, it was better than Cruise’s.
Tesis, 1996
A thriller and the director’s first feature film done when he was just 23 and explores violence, the media’s propensity to provide an avenue for it, and as what one of the antagonists said, directors or films should provide what the audience wants, even if this entails going beyond what is moral and normal. One of the main points that I do like in this movie though, is how Angela explores violence in media (audiovisual violence) wants to do it as her thesis not for the want of it but to expose its darker side, was, in the end experienced violence firsthand.
I admit its scary but like The Others, it keeps one on guessing who’s who.
Won the 1997 Goya Awards for Best Film and Best New Director.
Mar adentro (The Sea Inside), 2004
One of the best films that has been exhibited in the ongoing Pelicula - Pelikula, the 4th Spanish Film Festival, and again, I have really great respect for Alejandro Amenabar and of course, Javier Bardem. I just found myself transfixed to the silverscreen in great awe of this most wonderful film that captivates the moviegoer, spellbound by the weaving of Amenabar’s magic, his deft handling of the film, communicating to the viewer very well the highly controversial topic of euthanasia and the right of persons in terminal cases to wish for their death and fighting for it frame by frame, words by words.
Winner of Best Foreign Language Film in the 2005 Oscar and Golden Globe Awards as well as 14 Goyas (the Spanish Oscars) including Best Film, Best Director and Best Screenplay.
Nominated for 10 Goya Awards including Best Film and Best Director.
Thanx to Pelicula - Pelikula, the 4th Spanish Film Festival, I have at last watched all of Amenabar’s four outstanding films with its screening of Mar adentro and Tesis.
This is the director to watch out for.
