Ramon Madaula Movies

Director Silvia Munt teams with screenwriter Eva Baeza for this drama that interweaves two parallel tales - one concerning a theater director making preparations for the premiere of her latest play, and the other concerning her husband's experiences as an employee in a nearby geriatric hospital. Viena (Munt) and her husband Daniel (Ramon Madaula) have just had a major row over Daniel's refusal to attend the opening of Viena's latest stage play, entitled "Pretexts." As a result of the argument, Viena is driven deeper into the arms of neurotic lead actor Ricardo (Francesc Garrido), who stars opposite the equally hysterical Marta (Merce Llorens). Meanwhile, at the hospital where Daniel works, meek night nurse Eva (Laia Marull) tends lovingly to her elderly patients, lending an especially gentle touch to the frail Claudio (Manuel Alexandre). Though it's plain to see that Eva's patients adore her, the quiet nurse still suffers from a crippling case of low self-esteem. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A young woman's passion forms the basis of this erotic Spanish drama adapted from a popular novel by Antonio Gala. The night before Desideria's marriage, her girl friends give her some valuable advice on sex. The marriage takes place, and while it is generally happy, her husband Ramiro suffers from sexual dysfunction and Desideria is frustrated. The two end up on holiday in Istanbul with two friends. Desideria falls madly in love with the sensual ambiance of the ancient, teeming city. She begins a passionate affair with a handsome Turkish guide, Yaman. Upon her return home, she learns that she is pregnant. Ramiro agrees to support the child, but unfortunately it dies in infancy and the grieving Desideria flees for Istanbul to find her lover. She finds him and they renew their torrid affair. Later she learns some distressing things about Yaman, but this does not stop her from becoming his sexual slave and a call girl for wealthy carpet sellers. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

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, All Movie Guide

In 1939, Ramon (Jacques Penot) was a young man, caught up in his Barcelona family's involvement on the Republic side in the brutal Spanish Civil War. He and his family fled into exile ahead of Franco's troops. Now it is many years later, and he has come back to see how his old homestead fared in the intervening years. The only person he can find who is able to remember those years clearly is his family's old butler Claudio (Vittorio Gassman). This film is a sequel to the 1975 film by director Jaime Camino, Largas Vacaciones del 36. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

After the Spanish Civil War (1936-39), Spain was governed by the moralistic and occasionally heavy-handed Falangist regime of General Francisco Franco. However, as time passed, the government's strict restrictions on public behavior, divorce and so on were eased. Compared to the 1940s in Spain, 1968 was a period of almost licentious ease. Even though very little of the generational turmoil that seethed throughout the developed world at the time reached Spain, enough did to be noticeable. This story tells what happens when a relatively "liberal" man who chose voluntary exile after the war returns to visit his family and friends during this period. Jesus (Jose Soriano) is distressed to find the values he cherished seemingly part of the past, as he reunites with his family. He visits his brother's divorced wife and watches her become senseless with drink, and hears curse words freely used at a bar during a card game. ~ Clarke Fountain, All Movie Guide

Ona (Ovidi Montllor) is a young woman who has a love affair with the guitar player Manolo in this romantic drama. Despite having a ticket on a departing steamer, he elects to stay in Barcelona with the woman he loves. The two share a memorable day with each other and pledge their mutual love in contrast to their friends who casually engage in sex and use drugs. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide