Carlos Fuentes Movies

Director Manuel Huerga teams with screenwriter Lluis Arcarazo to explore the life and death of the last man executed by the garrote in this biopic following the life of leftist Spanish bank robber and revolutionary Salvador Puig. The product of a leftist bourgeois household, Salvador (Daniel Bruehl) railed against Franco's oppressive as a young student, and soon turned to bank robbery as a means of contributing to the radical labor movement. When a cop is killed during one of the robberies and Salvador is captured, the trial to determine the young activist's fate is swift. Though Salvador does put some hope into the chance for a reprieve, his grim fate is ultimately sealed when a bomb kills Franco's president. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Carlos Gil's sophomore directorial effort, Alas Rotas, centers on Carlos Ayala (Fabio Fulco), a man who wants nothing more than to fly airplanes. He has been able to perform this act and turned his passion in to a successful military career. One day, he discovers he has a brain tumor. The film details how Ayala must figure out how to live his life now that performing the activity he loves more than anything else may end his life. ~ Perry Seibert, Rovi

One man views four decades of Spanish history from the window of a bakery in this romantic melodrama. After the death of his father, young Miguel found himself helping his mother, Isabel (Veronica Forque), run the family's bake shop, and as he grew to adulthood Miguel (Carlos Fuentes) discovered he had both a gift and a passion for making cakes. After the death of his mother, Miguel falls hopelessly in love with a beautiful neighborhood girl, Angela (Maria Adanez), and he tries to show his affection by baking her one of his specialties. While Angela is touched by the gesture, when she goes off to college she falls for a student radical, Carlos (Roberto Alvarez), and becomes a member of a left-wing activist group. While Miguel and Angela find themselves following different paths in life, he finds he can't forget her, and despite the passing of time and the miles that often separate them, Angela is never far from Miguel's thoughts. Tiempos de Azucar was the first feature film directed by noted screenwriter Juan Luis Iborra. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

This Spanish-French co-production is another in Haut & Court's series of French features interlinked with an "end of the Millennium" theme. On New Year's Eve 1999, social worker Manuel (Juanjo Martinez) and his pregnant wife Paloma (Leonor Watling) leave for a party without knowing that Paloma's father (Emilio Gutierrez Caba) is coming over to give them a ride. His car is stolen by slow-witted Litri (Roberto Hernandez) and his pal Johny (Carlos Fuentes), who intends to use the vehicle to impress his girlfriend Jasmina (Mariola Fuentes). However, Jasmina, waiting at a phone booth, meets Paloma's dad, so Johny gets an unexpected surprise when he pulls up in the car. Elsewhere, two female workers at an all-night gas station have romantic fantasies about their customers. Shot on locations in Madrid, the Lucio Godoy soundtrack score features French-style accordion music. Shown at the 1998 Malaga Film Festival. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

In 1898, Spain waged war upon Cuban rebels desiring to forge a nation free from colonialist rule. Those freedom fighters were known as Mambi. This historical drama centers on the internal and external conflicts endured by a Spanish officer who falls in love with his uncle's adopted Cuban daughter. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

In 1970, a dysfunctional family spends the summer in Ibiza on the southern coast of Spain. Julia (Veronica Forque) is married to adulterous Fernando (Antonio Resines), who departs when he's caught in the act by Julia. Julia's two daughters Elena (Maria Adamez) and Veronica (Silvia Abascal) are both attracted to hippie Ezequiel (Fele Martinez). Meanwhile, Julia's eldest son Cucho (Pepon Nieto) falls for free-spirited Susi (Clara Sanchis). Julia attempts to keep her family together amid the hedonistic lifestyles of the '70s. ~ Bhob Stewart, Rovi

This Spanish thriller is set in the seamy side of Barcelona during the mid-'80s and tells the story of Maria, a drug addict and dealer. She is trying hard to clean up her act, but first she wants to do one more major deal with her friend Rafa. Unfortunately, their well-laid plans begin unraveling right from the start and soon they find themselves forced to flee from corrupt policemen. ~ Sandra Brennan, Rovi

This is a film of the dramatic Spanish language novel Celestina, written in 1499. In many ways, it resembles Romeo and Juliet, particularly in the need for secrecy in the wooing of a beloved and the troubles resulting from that secrecy. Callisto (Juan Diego Botto) enlists the aid of his roguish servants and the mature woman Celestina (Terele Pavez) to help him win the heart of Melibea (Penelope Cruz). In gratitude for Celestina's efforts, he rewards her with a sentimentally valuable article of clothing. When Callisto's two jealous servants hear of this, they try to get Celestina to give them what they feel is their "share" for their efforts on Callisto's behalf. Failing in this, they kill Celestina. Her friends discover her corpse and vow to get revenge for her murder, but it is Callisto whom they blame for it, not his miserable servants. ~ Clarke Fountain, Rovi