In the long history of Spanish cinema, Spain has produced a wealth of exciting and distinctive filmmakers and films. Though the road was been laden with obstacles historically, filmmaking has continued to thrive in Spain. Yet, only 10% to 20% of box office receipts in Spain are generated by domestic films.

The great filmmaker Luis Buñuel been one of the few who has achieved universal recognition, but Spanish cinema has seen some sporadic international success over the years with other film directors like Segundo de Chomón, Florián Rey, Pedro Almodóvar and Alejandro Amenábar.

The first Spanish film exhibition took place in Barcelona in 1895 and became the center of the nation’s film industry and continued to maintain its stronghold on movie production until gradually Madrid took over in leading the Spanish movie production. Today budding actors and actresses move to Barcelona and Madrid in hopes of making their lifelong dream of being in movies come true.

With the end of the Franco era, censorship was greatly loosened. Filmmakers were once again free to make a film in the language of their choice and topic of choice. Thus, a whole new genre of directors began creating films of a controversial nature, attempting to revise the country’s blemished history and challenge traditional ideas of filmmaking.

American and foreign movies also influenced Spanish movies and themes of gender and sexuality began to appear on screen. For cinema-goers outside of Spain, it has often been the sexually-charged and colorful nature of many contemporary Spanish films, which has made them popular world-wide and led directors and stars such as Almodóvar, Banderas and Penélope Cruz to be welcomed by Hollywood.

The Festival de Cine de Sitges, now known as the Festival Internacional de Cinema de Cataluña (International Film Festival of Catalonia), was started in 1967. It is considered one of the best cinematographic contests in Europe and is attended by famous international directors and actors.

Spaniards love to go to the movies and it is still the number one “date night” activity. Most small towns have movie theaters, but many do not. However, with the boom of large shopping malls cropping up, multi-cinemas with hi-fi sound and picture are usually close by. Most American films are dubbed into Spanish and only in major cities or highly tourisy areas will you find theaters with English language movies.

Though Spain may not have a worldwide reputation for making great films, don’t let this fool you. There are numerous fantastic Spanish films currently and from the past that have contributed and changed movie-making history such as “Le charme discret de la bourgeoisie” by Luis Buñuel and “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down” by Pedro Almodóvar.

The Spanish film industry has always been one of the world’s most successful despite the Franco years when individualism and creativity was somewhat stifled. At the moment it is on a real roll producing box office acclaimed films that have broken into the English language market as well as the huge Spanish speaking market. However having said that it is estimated that only 10-20% of box office receipts in Spain are from domestic films; the public seem to prefer Hollywood block busters!

The cinema in Spain is much cheaper than in the UK and for young people or families it is still a reasonable option for an evening’s entertainment. There is even a weekly “dia de espectadores” at most cinemas when the price is reduced, often down to 4 euros a ticket. Money left over for a meal after! Another wonderful Spanish summer custom is the cines de verano. These are outdoor evening cinemas often held quite late at night so you can relax in the slightly cooler evening air whilst enjoying a film. They often have bars too!

Spanish cinema started in Barcelona which remained the centre of the film industry for decades. Some of the earliest films you may have seen on the television date from the Franco years and are classic tales of children in difficult circumstances such as “Marcelino, Pan y Vino” and all the Joselito and Marisol films.

By the sixties thing were a little less cutesy and directors like Carlos Saura produced some great films. In the eighties film really took off in the more liberal environment and today comedies , melodramas and black humour abound ,with directors such as Pedro Almodóvar, Bigas Luna and Alejandro Amenabar´s works accounting for most of the industries revenue.

Bigas Luna´s classic “Jamon Jamon” was released in 1991 and starred Penelope Cruz then aged 16. The film features whorehouses, violence and is really rather “dark”. One of Amenabar´s films “Mar Adentro” or The Sea Inside won the Golden Globe for best foreign film in 2004 and the Oscar for best foreign-language film in 2005. It’s a bit of a dark film too, based on the right to take your own life but a very good introduction to modern Spanish film.

Pedro Almodovar is a favourite Spanish character always popping up in Sunday supplements and his output has been spectacular. Try Todo Sobre mi Madre from 1999 which won an Oscar for Best Foreign Film or Hable Con Ella from 2001 which won an Oscar for Best Director. His latest film Volver came out last year and was nominated for a golden Globe.

Now for the actors! Penelope Cruz, who has made herself popular all over the world with her perfect Spanish beauty and talent, and who started her film career at a very tender age of 16, has matured into a fine actress. Commencing in 1991 in “El Laberinto Griego” she soon gained a following in Spain. By 1999 her talent hit a wider audience with “Todo Sobre Mi Madre” directed by Pedro Almodovar and by 2001 she was starring in blockbusters such as Captain Correlli´s Mandolin. Recent films include Volver and Bandidos in 2006. Ms Cruz is only just in her thirties so watch this space!

Antonio Banderas has also made a name for himself outside of Spain with films such as the House of Spirits (1993), Interview with Vampires (1994), Evita (1996), Shrek 2(2004), and The Legend of Zorro (2004). Banderas is a local lad and also dabbles in business-one of his successful ventures being a vineyard in the Casares area.

Javier Bardem started out in 1991 in Jamon Jamon and has won a string of awards since then. “Dias Contado” in 94 and Before Night Falls in 2000 were particularly memorable. Also watch out for Jordi Molla and Eduardo Noriega, both of whom have been called the new Banderas!