Ana Alvarez Movies

A pair of reporters uncover a secret war that threatens the peace of two nations in this thriller based on actual events. In the 1980s, the Grupos Antiterroristas de Liberacion (or GAL) was an anti-terrorist organization sponsored by the Spanish government that was launched in response to attacks by a Basque revolutionary force, the Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (or ETA). However, the GAL developed a reputation for reckless violence and targeting the wrong people, and Spanish progressives regarded them as little more than a gang of hit men. When an innocent Frenchman is killed by GAL forces, the story attracts the attention of Pablo (Abel Folk), a newspaper editor, who assigns two of his best writers, Manuel (Jose Garcia) and Marta (Natalia Verbeke) to look into the GAL and its leadership. As Manuel and Marta learn more about GAL chief Ariza (Jordi Mollà), they unravel a web of violence and corruption that leads to the highest offices in the land. GAL was produced in part by Melchor Miralles, one of the real-life journalists who uncovered the GAL scandal, while the newspaper that carried his stories, El Mundo, provided financing for the picture. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

An unethical, small-time reporter stumbles onto a secret that just may revolutionize the entire telecommunications industry in this made-for-television action thriller starring Andrew McCarthy, Michael York, and Bo Derek. Having used less-than-legitimate means to acquire the shocking footage from his source, reporter Hank Robinson (McCarthy) must maintain a low profile as he attempts to go public with the controversial story. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide

A man gets an unexpected chance to be the cowboy he's always wanted to be in this drama. Jaime (Aitor Merino) is a young man whose Uncle Boni (Sancho Gracia) was once a film director, making low-budget Westerns in Spain. While Jaime has a job working as a railway clerk, he takes after his uncle in his fascination with the heroic ways of the cowboy. When Jaime's boss Ibarra (Ramon Langa) threatens to close down the railroad office after oil is discovered near the line, Jaime uncovers some dirty dealings on Ibarra's part. Soon he has the opportunity to make like a white-Stetsoned hero as he tries to keep the office open, for the sake of himself and Doro (Ana Alvarez), a co-worker with whom he's become infatuated. A Galope Tendido was the first feature film from director Julio Suarez. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide

Antonio del Real directed this Spanish romantic comedy focusing on ad-agency career girl Lucia (Ana Alvarez) and her best friend, dance teacher Maria (Maria Adanez). Maria's boyfriend is the sexist Pablo (Jorge Sanz). One night Lucia puts away too much alcohol, sleeps with Pablo, and hatches a plan to have Pablo all to herself by finding a new man for Maria. She chooses unemployed actor Antonio (Eduardo Noriega), a handsome guy but not too bright. Since Antonio's brain in Spain is mainly on the wane, Lucia is forced to do a My Fair Lady upgrade on the raw material -- by educating Antonio during several Pygmalion-styled sessions. ~ Bhob Stewart, All Movie Guide

Sexual repression, class conflict, fetishes, and an Electra complex are combined in this fast-paced, but convoluted Spanish comedy. Angel, a botanist, loves feet and when he spies the barefoot Luisa in a flower shop, it is love at first sight. Luisa, unaware of his foot fetish and the fact that his attraction is coupled by her close resemblance to his mother, readily accepts his marriage proposal. She learns the truth only after they move into his country mansion and she wakes up to find her husband doing strange things to her feet in his sleep. He does not otherwise touch her, and she spends her days alone while Angel works in his lab. Relief is offered when Lucas, Angel's former professor comes to visit. The crazy old coot offers her sexual instruction while simultaneously embezzling from Angel. Meanwhile, in another part of the film, a one-eyed pimp, and hooker are involved in hijinks at a local night-club. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide

Pedro Jarrapellejos (Antonio Ferrandis) is a ladies man who cannot turn the heads of Isabel (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) or her beautiful daughter. When both peasant women are found raped and murdered in a brutal scene, a schoolteacher is falsely accused. Pedro knows his own nephew and his friend participated in the killings, but he uses his considerable influence over the police and courts to intimidate the witnesses into silence. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide