Goya Toledo Movies
- 2007
Emilio Martinez-Lazaro's historical drama Las 13 Rosas (AKA 13 Roses) commences in 1939 Madrid. As the forces of nationalist general Francisco Franco sweep down into the city and bombs cascade onto Spanish buildings, two Republicans - Red Cross employee Virtudes (Marta Etura) and streetcar attendant Julia (Veronica Sanchez) - sit in a club watching a live set by two musicians: the Communist Canepa (Enrico Lo Verso), and Enrique (Asier Etxeandia), the husband of Blanca (Pilar Lopez de Ayala). Sensing obvious trouble given the country's circumstances, Canepa opts to flee for his life - receiving some fiscal support from Blanca - and a romance blossoms between Julia and Perico (Felix Gomez), a soldier from Franco's forces. Meanwhile, unrest and extreme distrust run rampant among the nationalists. Hungry for scapegoats - despite the lack of conclusive evidence - the troops respond to a rumor about a plot to rub out Franco by rounding up the 13 innocent young women of the title, including Julia, the socialist Adelina (Gabriella Pession) and 11 others - who are collectively imprisoned, given trial and slated for execution for treasonous activity. ~ Nathan Southern, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Pilar Lopez de Ayala, Verónica Sánchez, (more)
- 2006
Originally produced as part of the Six Films to Keep You Awake horror series from Spain, The Ninth Gate screenwriter Enrique Urbizu's A Real Friend tells the tale of young girl still dealing with the death of her father when she's befriended by a charming vampire. Ever since her father died when she was just a young girl, ten year old Esrtella has lived alone with her mother Angela. Estrella is a child with an exceptional imagination, and in order to more easily digest the steady diet of horror and fantasy stories she thrives on, she befriends the monsters that would otherwise cause her endless nightmares. But Estrella's newest companion may be more than just a figment of her overactive imagination, and it won't be long now until she finds out the answer that age old question: "Do monsters really exist?" ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Goya Toledo
Laura Mana's psychological thriller Killing Words concerns a test of words and wills between a serial killer and the woman he is keeping as his prisoner. Laura is tied up in the killer's basement, but he agrees to release her if she can beat him at a word game. However, if she loses, she will never leave his private dungeon. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Darío Grandinetti, Goya Toledo, (more)
Enrique Urbizu's thriller La Caja 507 (Box 507) is about two very different men looking for the same thing. Modesto (Antonio Resines) is a banker who loses his daughter Maria (Dafne Fernandez) when she dies after being trapped in a forest fire. After a robbery at the bank in which papers from Box 507 are taken, Modesto discovers documents that reveal the fire was set on purpose. With his wife Angela (Miriam Montilla) in a coma thanks to the robbery, Modesto sets out to even the score. Gangster's henchman Rafael (Jose Coronado), who needs the stolen papers to get back on his boss' good side, is also looking for them. The two men meet in the end when all is revealed. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonio Resines, Jose Coronado, (more)
Set amidst the austere volcanic splendor of Spain's island of Lanzarote, this period piece successfully vacillates between drama and high tragedy as it follows the romantic obsession felt by two very different men for an innocent but seductive local girl. The tale is set in a ramshackle island village during the Spanish Civil War. No sooner does young, conservative, and high-moraled Dr. Fermin (Carmelo Gomez) arrive at the pueblo than he is under in Mararia's (Goya Toledo) bewitching spell. She is interested in him too, and they briefly flirt. Freewheeling, roguish English surveyor Bertrand (Ian Glen) has also come to town on a job for the Royal Geographic Society. He too is enchanted by Mararia, and they become lovers. When Mararia becomes pregnant with Beretrand's child, the stage is set for tragedy. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carmelo Gómez, Iain Glen, (more)
- 1995
This Italian film takes a chilling, nonexploitative look into the mind of a nice young man who compulsively rapes beautiful women. The rapes are graphically presented and may be disturbing to some viewers. Outwardly Luca seems to be a normal, quiet 20-year old. His mother is frequently gone. Trouble begins when Luca becomes obsessed with Valeria, the beauty who works in the next building. He begins spying on her, and then secretly filming her with his camcorder. He tries to get to know her, but she ignores him. Unable to stand her constant refusal, the frustrated young man accosts her on dark street and rapes her. The first rape was almost accidental; he encountered her on the street and he hurt her. Unfortunately, he liked the violence and begins raping every attractive woman he sees. He is particularly violent with Lorena, a jewelry saleswoman whom he beats up in a park before violating her. Much of the film focuses upon Luca's twisted thought processes. He is upset by the constant rejection he feels; especially when women say no. The film's climax is predictable, and few will feel remorse for Luca's passing. ~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide
