The First Few Minutes of Spanish Language Films

The first few minutes of a film orient the viewer, offering cues for a richer, more nuanced reading. With this premise, the author provides many insights into the history of Spanish language film, encouraging an enhanced understanding of the Spanish/Hispanic canon commonly taught in courses on film. The author explores El espíritu de la colmena (1973), La historia oficial (1985), Fresa y chocolate (1994), El crimen del padre Amaro (2002), Abre los ojos (1997), Te doy mis ojos (2003) and Carlos Saura’s flamenco trilogy—Bodas de sangre (1981), Carmen (1983) and El amor bruno (1986), among others.

Instructors considering this book for use in a course may request an examination copy here.

Richard K. Curry is a professor in the Department of Hispanic Studies at Texas A & M University (and former director of Undergraduate Studies). The coeditor of two scholarly journals, Hispanic Poetry Review and Cine y… , he is the author of books and articles on language, film, poetry, culture and pedagogy.

Richard K. Curry

Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 236
Bibliographic Info: 11 photos, filmography, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2017
pISBN: 978-1-4766-6588-7
eISBN: 978-1-4766-2723-6
Imprint: McFarland

Preface 1
Introduction: In the First Few Minutes: An Approach to Reading Film 3
1. Through a Child’s Eyes: Víctor Erice’s 1973 El espíritu de la colmena (The Spirit of the Beehive) 27
2. Reflections of Art and Life: Carlos Saura’s Flamenco Trilogy: Bodas de sangre (1981); Carmen (1983); El amor brujo (1986) (Blood Wedding; Carmen; Love, the Magician) 42
3. Through a Woman’s Eyes: Maria Luisa Bemberg’s 1984 Camila 64
4. From Bystanding to Standing For: Luis Puenzo’s 1985 La historia oficial (The Official Story/Version) 83
5. For the Lack of: Tomás Gutiérrez Alea’s 1993 Fresa y chocolate (Strawberry and Chocolate) 102
6. Dream Story: Alejandro Amenábar’s 1996 Abre los ojos (Open Your Eyes) 120
7. Sins of Our Fathers: Carlos Carrera’s 2002 El crimen del Padre Amaro (The Crime of Father Amaro) 139
8. The Need to See and Be Seen: Icíar Bollaín’s 2003 Te doy mis ojos (Take My Eyes) 159
Filmography 179
Chapter Notes 194
Bibliography 206
Index 223