Spanish Steps - Fact file - Cinema

Spanish and Latin American films have had a profound impact on the world of entertainment, particularly in the last few years. Brought back to life by the colourful world of Oscar-winning director Pedro Almodóvar, Spanish cinema has shaken off its art house tag and has been enjoying both critical acclaim and huge financial success.

Whereas Spanish people had traditionally been reluctant to support Spanish films, they are now flocking to see an increasing number of quality films made at home by Spanish directors and featuring a new crop of Spanish-speaking superstars. Thanks to the films of Almodóvar, actors like Antonio Banderas, Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz have come to the fore. They are being closely followed by the likes of Eduardo Noriega, Jordi Mollà, and Fele Martínez, among other promising faces, not to mention Latin American stars like Oscar-winning Puerto Rican actor Benicio del Toro.

Films themselves have taken on a new vigour, and the varied subject matter is finding a new audience among previously apathetic cinemagoers. These include Alejandro Amenábar's psychological thriller Tesis, Thesis, the winner of several Goyas, the Spanish Oscars. Amenábar also made Abre los ojos, Open Your Eyes, a massive hit at the Sundance Film Festival. The biggest surprise however has been the film Airbag by Juanma Bajo Ulloa. This Spanish road movie was hammered by the critics, but went on to break all Spanish box office records.

Other films that have enjoyed international success include science fiction horror Perdita Durango, also known as Dance with the Devil, by Álex de la Iglesia, and the controversial Mexican film Amores Perros, Love's a Bitch, directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.