Professor Santiago Fouz Hernández, from our School of Modern Language and Cultures, will showcase his specialist research on the film director, designer and artist Bigas Luna at The Bigas Luna Tribute in Los Angeles, USA, from 17-24 March 2023.
Following hot on the heels of The Oscars, The Bigas Luna Tribute will screen at iconic American Cinematheque venues Los Feliz 3 Theater and The Aero Theater.
Bigas Luna Tribute
Bigas Luna is recognised as a master of modern Spanish cinema. April 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of his death. He directed 18 feature films including horror, comedies, and costume dramas. Perhaps his best-known film is Jamón, Jamón (1992), famous – among other things – for launching the careers of now global stars Penélope Cruz and Javier Bardem.
The Bigas Luna Tribute launched in 2015 as a collaboration between the filmmaker’s daughter Betty Bigas and Professor Santiago Fouz Hernández, sharing his extensive research with audiences and contextualising the work of one of Spain’s most iconic filmmakers.
Since its launch, The Bigas Luna Tribute has had over 100 screenings in more than 20 cities worldwide from San Francisco to Sydney, from Manchester to Mexico City, with guest speakers from academia to the Spanish film industry.
Bigas Lunas Tribute, LA
This new and specially curated event will feature nine screenings including 1990s ‘Iberian Portraits’ Trilogy: Jamón, Jamón; Huevos de oro / Golden Balls, starring Bardem, Benicio del Toro and Maribel Verdú; and La Teta y La Luna / The Tit and The Moon, starring Mathilda May, and will be introduced by Professor Fouz Hernández, as is the screening of the rarely seen Caniche / Poodle. Hollywood/Spanish filmmaker Javier Gutiérrez will introduce cult horror movie Anguish, starring Zelda Rubinstein and Michael Lerner. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles (original 35 mm prints – apart from Caniche).
At the new Instituto Cervantes, co-director Santiago Garrido Rua will introduce, via pre-recorded video, a documentary based on the 300 hours of self-recorded video diaries Bigas Luna created himself. The screening will be followed by a roundtable discussion.
The event is co-presented by Durham University, American Cinematheque, Instituto Cervantes LA, Egeda US and Algarrobo Films.
Premiere research screening
A selection of the LA events will include the premiere of the video essay About Luna. Episode 1: Masculinities by former Zurbarán Fellow Santiago Garrido Rua and informed by Prof Fouz Hernández’s research.
“Los Angeles is an important city for any filmmaker, but it is particularly significant for Bigas Luna, who lived there in the 1980s. During his LA sojourn he wrote three films and made Reborn (1981), starring Dennis Hopper. Working with American Cinematheque was the ultimate objective of the Bigas Luna Tribute since we started nine years ago and it is an honour to bring Bigas Luna’s films back here.” Prof Fouz Hernández
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