The La Mirada, Jewels of Spanish Cinema

MEDIA RELEASELADRONES OPENS LA MIRADA, JEWELS OF SPANISH CINEMA Surprise film selected by critically acclaimed author Paul AusterThe La Mirada, Jewels of Spanish Cinema will once again showcase the best of Spanish language cinema from 3 - 13 April 2008 at the Australian Centre of the Moving Image. The festival will open with Jaimie Marqués' debut feature Ladrones, a poetic examination of marginality and delinquency. "As most of our audience knows already, 'Mirada' means 'through somebody's eyes' and this has been the purpose of the Festival since its conception: to showcase the works and perspectives of truly outstanding artists through cinema. We want to express our gratitude to our audience from 2007 for making this festival such an interactive and memorable experience. We are convinced that you will be even more in love with cinema after enjoying this wonderful collection of films" said Festival Director Rocio Garcia.The festival will once again screen a selection of New Spanish Cinema, Almodovar Presents - a collection of classic Spanish films curated by Pedro Almodovar, and a new programme - All About Flamenco, an array of films celebrating the most famous Spanish form of popular art - flamenco! Also new to this year's festival is a surprise film selected by critically acclaimed author and screen play writer, Paul Auster. "This year we are proud to announce acclaimed American writer and director, Paul Auster as guest curator of La Mirada. It is an honour for us to show the favourite Spanish film of an international artist of such stature" said Garcia.Festival highlights include La Soledad, Jaime Rosales' second film which won Best Film, Best Director and Best Actor at the Spanish Academy Awards Goya; The Oxford Murders which is based on Guillermo Martínez's award-winning novel starring Elijah Wood and John Hurt; Golden Lion nominee In the City of Sylvia (En La Ciudad De Sylvia), which tells the story of a young man in search for a woman he has been in love with for four years; and Carlos Sorin's The Road to San Diego - a clever take on celebrity worship, pseudo-documentaries and, most of all, soccer. Pedro Almodovar's classic picks include 1955 Cannes Film Festival FRIPRESCI winner Death of a Cyclist which examines not only the burden of guilt, but also a Spanish society of disturbing schisms where people operate above the law, in a bubble of wealth, while far below others struggle to survive; black comedy Placido which was nominated for Best Foreign Language film at the 1961 Academy Awards; and cult classic El Pisito is about a couple struggling to buy a small apartment.All About Flamenco highlights include Carlos Saura's Flamenco, which covers all the "palos" (musical styles) through the performances of the most significant flamenco artists; Los Tarantos - set within the colourful gypsy quarter of Barcelona; and La Leyenda Del Tiempo (The Legend of Time), a heartwarming film that uses the land of legendary flamenco singer Camaron de la Isla, as a stage. "Flamenco is undoubtedly the most recognizable Spanish form of art, but not always represented with authenticity. Avoiding stereotypes, these films will give our audience an exceptional insight into the depth and beauty of flamenco" said Garcia.La Mirada, Jewels of Spanish Cinema is officially supported by the Spanish government, the Institute of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (ICAA), the Agency for External International Cooperation (AEIC), the Spanish Consulate in Melbourne, the Spanish Embassy in Canberra and the Argentinian Institute National of Cinema and Audiovisual Arts (INCAA).TICKETS ON SALE NOW!· Single sessions: $13/$10· Opening Night Gala: $45/$38 (includes catering by Vue De Mond, serving the famous Spanish dish - Iberico Jamon)· Closing Night Gala: $20/$16 (includes drinks and music)· Multiple Film Pass: 5 Films Pass $55/$45To purchase tickets:· Online: www.lamirada.org.au or www.acmi.net.au/ticketing.html · Phone: 03 8663 2583 (AMEX, Bankcard, VISA & Mastercard accepted)· In Person: at the ACMI Box Office