Berta Riaza Movies

The poetic and iconoclastic lights of Bohemia have been dimmed in this interpretation of the original play by Ramon Valle-Inclan. Set at the turn of the 20th century in Madrid, the focus is on a perpetual drunk, the blind Max Estrella (Francisco Rabal) and his verses, sayings, and total disregard for his wife and daughter as he pursues both the bottle and the muse. His friend, Don Latino (Agustin Gonzalez) accompanies Max on his travels through the city. Max is rarely sober and can be found in unlikely situations, such as dressing down a government minister for his bourgeois success or commiserating with an anarchist in prison. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Using the viewpoint of real school children slowly finding out about Federico García Lorca, director Jaime Camino unveils the life, literary works, and personality of Spain's great writer, tragically murdered by the gunfire of fascist soldiers in 1936 when he was only 38 years old. Just as important as the loss of García Lorca is the fact that the school children are not too clear on who he was or why there was a Civil War in 1936 -- both are vague and unfamiliar topics. A re-enactment of the poet's murder is shocking in its brutality, all the more so once Camino has provided excerpts from the poet's dramas and verse, and his genius and sensitivity are brought home. Included in this informative documentary are scenes from Granada, where García Lorca was born, and of places he knew well, such as New York City and Seville, with a recollection of the Spain of his day provided through old newsreels and photographs. ~ Eleanor Mannikka, Rovi

Jorge (Francisco Ruiz) is a young orphan boy sent to live with his grandmother (Ana Marie Noe). His only memory of his parents comes from two old photos he has saved. He buries the pictures in two flower pots and takes great care of them. Two young children, a boy and a girl, are soon seen playing in the garden and the hallways of the house, and Jorge joins his new friends. A feeble-minded aunt and a lecherous servant girl are his only other companions, so Jorge delights in playing with the two newcomers. He soon realizes that the two children are his parents and they are the same age as he is in this symbolic fantasy. Jorge must decide if his visions are real or only a wishful dream. ~ Dan Pavlides, Rovi