Aitor Merino Movies
Filmmaker Chus Gutiérrez directs this high-spirited comedy set in newly democratic Spain and detailing the adventures of a teenage virgin who flees to a decadent nightclub in order to escape her tyrannical mother. Sara (Verónica Sánchez) may be virginal, but as with most teens she's got a rebellious streak a mile wide. Upon discovering a Madrid club known as El Calentito, Sara finally finds a place where she can be her true self. Anything goes at El Calentito, and the vibe at the club is both pansexual and punk rock. Presiding over El Calentito is motherly transsexual Antonia (Nuria Gonzalez). One of the biggest bands on the local scene is Las Sioux, so when lesbian lead singer and Joan Jett lookalike Carmen (Ruth Diaz) and free-spirited Leo (Macarena Gomez) invite Sara to join the band, the eager adolescent jumps at the chance. But on the night of their performance for a hig-powered record executive, something astonishing happens -- the remaining members of Franco's fascist regime stage a daring coup d'état. Will El Calentito survive the ensuing chaos, and what will become of Las Sioux? With the future of the entire country suddenly thrown into doubt, the club is suddenly infused with a newfound sense of energy and urgency, and young, innocent Sara will experience sights and sounds that she could never have imagined. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Verónica Sánchez, Juan Sanz, (more)
- 2003
- NR
Martin Huberty's drama Simon, An English Legionnaire starts with a familiar premise. Simon Murray (Paul Fox) responds to his girlfriend breaking up with him by joining the French Foreign Legion. While suffering through harsh training, Simon befriends fellow Legionnaires Valdes (Aitor Merino), Dupont (Tom Hardy), and Rodriguez (Javier Alcina). Simon eventually falls in love with Nicole (Felicite de Jeu). Her stance on the Algerian/French conflict is aligned with his, but Simon begins to question his own beliefs when confronted with the reality of the situation. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- 2002
As a collection of unrelated characters gather under the hot summer sun in the Spanish capital of Madrid, a series of unlikely events form a chain reaction that will resonate in each of the strangers' lives. Director Alvaro Garcia-Capelo's comedy drama shows that even the slightest action can affect the lives of others and that we are all held together by a fragile web of complex interactions. It seems that everyone will be caught in this web until the dog days of summer have drawn to a close. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sergi Caklleja, Farid Fatmi, (more)
The seamy underside of drug dealing in Spain is explored in this Spanish drama. Thirteen-year-old Milio (Alberto Escobar) and his older brother Luis (Fele Martinez) run drugs in Madrid for wholesaler Don Vicente (Francisco Rabal). While their mother (Geraldine Chaplin) disapproves of their business, Luis tries to watch out for his little brother and shield him from the most dangerous side of the dope traffic. When one of their partners is killed, Luis becomes wary of the drug trade, and his girlfriend Sira (Silke) urges him to get out of the business while he still can. But Milio doesn't want to quit, and Luis isn't sure which way he should turn, especially after Don Vincente urges him to stay. Sira then tries to force Luis' hand by going out with another of Don Vicente's soldiers. The debut feature from Saura Medrano (son of the great Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura), Just Run! had its world premier at the 2000 Cannes Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Geraldine Chaplin
- 2000
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
- Starring:
- Ana Alvarez, Aitor Merino, (more)
- 2000
Based on an idea by noted Spanish filmmaker Ricardo Franco, this gritty rural drama is directed by Daniel Cebrian. Failed singer Luz (Pilar Punzano) reluctantly returns to her hometown after being raped by record company honcho Fredy Barleta (Jose Coronado). Of course, home is not much better for the lass -- her ex-cop father is so profoundly depressed that he does not speak, and her jealous childhood boyfriend is still angry with her for leaving. Meanwhile, Luz's best friend Cascabel (Irene Visedo) longs to flee her psychotically possessive father Tadeo -- who makes her wear a bell so that he can locate her. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Antonio Dechent
- 1999
Writer-director Agusti Vila explores destiny, coincidence, and love in this romantic comedy set in Barcelona. After getting dumped by his girlfriend, Juan (Alex Brendemuhl) decides to sit in the same park bench at the same time each day in order to improve his odds for a chance encounter. Soon his efforts pay off and he finds himself in the company of the assertive, prickly Alicia (Victoria Freire) and bookworm Ana (Monica Lopez). With each woman, he shares his idiosyncratic ideas on romance and communication. Un banco en el parque was screened at the 1999 San Sebastian Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Alex Brendemühl, Victoria Freire, (more)
- 1998
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, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Carlos Fuentes, Gretel Pequeno, (more)
