Cristina Brondo Movies
- 2007
Inspired by a personal experience with Alzheimer's disease, director Antonio Mercero's low-key family drama details the relationship between a young Madrid student studying for a public entrance competition, and her elderly grandfather whose memory is becoming increasingly fuzzy. Her parents and siblings leaving for a summer holiday in San Sebastian studious Ana stays behind to prepare for her upcoming test and be close to her grandfather Ricardo. Ricardo is staying in a home for the summer, but thanks to his friendly roommate Andres the old man is never lonely. Most days, Ricardo and Andres pass the time recalling their youthful exploits. Though the conversations are generally spirited, Ricardo's nostalgic summer takes a foreboding turn when he begins to display early signs of Alzheimer's. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Manuel Alexandre, Cristina Brondo, (more)
A French writer finds his life is once again being turned sideways by his footloose European friends in this sequel to the international hit L'Auberge Espagnole. Five years after we last saw him, Xavier (Romain Duris) has given up his aspirations of a career in international finance, but his new path as a writer isn't going as well as he hoped; his novel about his experiences in Spain has yet to be published, and lately he's been writing scripts for a French soap opera. When his French producers enter into a co-production agreement with a British network and Xavier lands an assignment ghost-writing a tell-all autobiography for famous fashion model Celia Shelburn (Lucy Gordon), he finds himself spending plenty of time traveling between Paris and London. In London, Xavier becomes reacquainted with Wendy (Kelly Reilly), whom he met during his time in Spain, and he wonders if he should take another stab at a relationship with her; Wendy is currently involved, but is increasingly frustrated with her boyfriend's drug problems and mood swings. Xavier is also infatuated with Celia, and wonders if a dalliance with the glamorous model might be possible. Needing romantic advice, Xavier turns to another old friend, Isabelle (Cécile De France), a lesbian who offers her understanding of women as well as a spare bedroom in her flat. Xavier also gets pointers from his ex-girlfriend Martine (Audrey Tautou), who has a child from a former beau and is trying to sort out her own romantic troubles. Russian Dolls (aka Les Poupées Russes) also features Kevin Bishop, reprising his role as William from the first film. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Romain Duris, Audrey Tautou, (more)
The Dario Argento-directed Do You Like Hitchcock? pays homage to the man considered by many to be the master of suspense. A voyeuristic film student senses foul play when a murder strikes at the apartment complex across the street, but the plot, which references such Hitchcock classics as Rear Window and Strangers on a Train, is less important than the style. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Elio Germano, Chiara Conti, (more)
- 2004
The recipient of the Grand Prize of European Fantasy Film at the 2005 Brussels International Festival of Fantasy Film, director David Carreras' horror-flavored thriller tells the tale of a newly hired nurse working in a isolated mental hospital, and the darkness that emerges when her patients start whispering of strange happenings in the institution's winding corridors. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cristina Brondo, Demián Bichir, (more)
A man eager to learn Spanish gets an education he wasn't expecting in this comedy drama. Xavier (Romain Duris) is a French economics student who is nearing the completion of his degree and is looking for work. Xavier's father arranges for him to meet a ranking member of the Ministry of Finance, who makes him an offer -- he can give him a good job, but only under the condition that he learn to speak Spanish. Determined not to pass up the opportunity, Xavier enrolls in a language program in Barcelona, despite the misgivings of his girlfriend, Martine (Audrey Tautou). Upon his arrival, Xavier moves into a large house shared by a large group of students from all over Europe. Xavier finds that his ideas and attitudes are challenged in a positive way by the diverse personalities of his housemates, and that his loyalty to Martine is tested by his attraction to Anne-Sophie (Judith Godrèche), a sweet but lonesome woman from France who has been away from her husband for too long. After a visit, most of Xavier's roommates decide they don't much care for Martine and Xavier gets advice on seducing Anne-Sophie from an unexpected source -- Isabelle (Cécile de France), a footloose lesbian living in the house. L'Auberge Espagnole received its world premier at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival, and went on to earn prizes at the 2002 Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, the 2003 Lumière Awards, and the 2003 César Awards. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Romain Duris, Cécile De France, (more)
- 2002
Llorenc Soler's Lola Vende Ca (Lola, Come Here) is about life and love for Spanish gypsies. Lola (Cristiana Brondo) is a student who questions her lineage. She meets and falls in love with Juan. The families disapprove of their relationship, but Lola finds strength in the gypsy culture after her Uncle goes through a difficult period. This story is intercut with interviews of real gypsies, as well as an interview with Brondo about the difficulty she faced playing a gypsy when she herself is not one. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Cristina Brondo, Miguel "El Toleo", (more)
- 2000
A Spanish comedy about the love lives of a group of friends, Todo Me Pasa a Mi centers on the exploits of a group of urban hipsters who live in the same apartment building. Angel and Edu share a flat. Angel, who is handsome and strait-laced, is planning to get married, and as his marriage draws closer, Edu, a sloppy punk, begins to resent Angel's impending union with suspicious voracity. Meanwhile, in the flat downstairs, Txell and Aina are a lesbian couple whose relationship is faltering. They share their lodging with Elena, an obnoxious heterosexual who has the habit of annoying everyone with her inability to shut up. Elena is looking for love, and soon sets her sights on Oscar, Edu's prospective new roommate. Oscar, however, doesn't return Elena's advances; instead, he's got a jones for Aina, who, it soon becomes apparent, shares the attraction. ~ Rebecca Flint Marx, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Javier Albala, Lola Dueñas, (more)
