Abel Folk Movies

Three couples deal with the sticky issue of infidelity in this comedy-drama from Spanish filmmaker Ventura Pons. Silvio (Jose Coronado) is a well-to-do business executive who is seemingly happily married to Marcia (Cecilia Rossetto). However, Silvio is convinced Marcia is cheating on him, and frequently spies on her -- ironically enough, he usually does so during assignations with his mistress, posh interior designer Claudia (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon). Meanwhile, Daniel (Marc Cartes), who works with Claudia, is enjoying a vacation with his wife Irina (Cristina Plazas), a front desk clerk at the hotel where Silvio usually romps with Claudia. Daniel is hoping the getaway will help put the spark back into their marriage, but he soon discovers Irina's head has been turned by a trainer from a nearby health spa. And finally, Mariela (Patricia Arredondo), Silvio's housekeeper, has stated dating Jorge Washington (Gerardo Zamora), who has only recently come to Spain from Peru. While Mariela has fallen hard for Jorge, he's impressed by the romantic and material opportunities his new hometown provides. Animals Ferits (aka Wounded Animals) was adapted from a collection of short stories by Jordi Punti. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

Veteran filmmaker Josep Maria Forn directed this Spanish thriller about sexual harassment. When feminist attorney Elena (Silvia Munt) tells stockbroker Sergi (Abel Folk) she's wants a child, he responds by informing her that he had a vasectomy. With the support of her friend Cati (Pepa Lopez), Elena takes on the case of Paula (Iciar Bollain), a woman who says she was sexually harassed by her ex-boss. As the case becomes a major news story, Sergi discovers that the accused is one of his biggest clients, mayoral candidate Andreu (Jordi Dauder), who is advised by his lawyer Pau (Josep Maria Pou). A knotty twist develops when it becomes evident to Elena that she will be put in the awkward position of cross-examining her own lover about his affair with Paula. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

This action-filled Spanish melodrama takes dramatic license with the facts surrounding the illegal slave trade in early nineteenth century Cuba. It is 1820 and Amelia has recently been wed to Ton, a Cuban plantation owner whom she barely knows as part of a business contract. With Ton's sinister best friend as her chaperone, Amelia reluctantly leaves Spain. During the long sea voyage, Alfons leads a mutiny and the ship detours to Africa where they fill up the hold with slaves. In Havana, Amelia is appalled to find her husband has been sleeping with slaves and colonial wives. For revenge, Amelia attempts to expose Alfons' and Ton's illegal activities to the authorities and to their families. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This lively Spanish anthology, based on a series of short stories by Catalan writer Quim Monzo, is comprised of 15 short vignettes that contain a series of comments concerning those human relationships based on love, emotions and sex. Each segment is introduced by a one word title card that is spoken by the players. Included are short conversations, monologues, mini-plays, two fantasy segments, and a one-sided telephone conversation. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This variation on the themes of 9 to 5 (1980) and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down! (1990) presents one philandering man as the target of revenge for all scorned women everywhere. When Brian Hartley (Zach Galligan) has been unfaithful yet again to his fiancée Linda Alissio (Teri Hatcher), he shows up at her Malibu beach house expecting to beg for and receive forgiveness. Except that this time, Brian is going to get the lesson of his life. Lisa's housemates Kim (Lara Harris) and Sharon (Tracy Griffith) take him hostage, tying him to a bed. For three days, the trio of vengeful women inflict Brian with a series of psychological tortures, including using his credit cards, shaving him with a rusty razor, getting him fired from his job, and forcing him to watch a home shopping cable channel. When they're convinced that Brian will sin no more, they put him in a skirt and release him. Brian's got a few surprises for them, however. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi