Spanish Cinema Now 2024

“Spanish Cinema Now” returns for its 7th edition, bringing the best cinema made in Spain to DMV audiences

AFI Silver Theatre and the Cultural Office of the Embassy of Spain in Washington, D.C. co-present Spanish Cinema Now, an annual festival of outstanding new films that reflect the breadth of styles and talents at work in Spain today.

Highlights include:

• the East Coast premiere of Saturn Return, the new film from acclaimed director Isaki Lacuesta, loosely based on the real story of ’90s indie rock band Los Planetas;
• the East Coast premiere of Un Amor, Isabel Coixet’s feminist drama starring Laia Costa (Lullaby, Victoria);
• Jokes & Cigarettes, a Goya Award–winning ’60s-set biopic about Catalan comedian Eugenio Jofra;
• Mamífera, an abortion dramedy that recently won a Special Jury Award for Maria Rodríguez Soto’s performance at the 2024 SXSW Film Festival.

Saturn Return

• On Friday, May 31 at 7:15 pm. Opening night. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Isaki Lacuesta, Spain / France, 2024. 109 minutes.
• Original title: Segundo Premio. Watch trailer.

Late 1990s. Art and culture are in full swing in Granada. Against that background, an indie band is about to change the music scene in Spain. Just before creating their new album, the band is going through its worst possible moment.

The Rim

• On Friday, May 31 at 10 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Saturday, June 1 at 12:10 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Alberto García, Spain, 2024. 90 minutes.
• Original title: La Parra.
• In Spanish and Galician with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Struggling to make ends meet, oddball Damian tries to change his fortune via game-show glory. But when that doesn’t pan out, he returns to his hometown of Ferrol in Galicia for the first time in 20 years. Taking up residence among a couture of eccentrics in a guest house, he is continually mistaken for a man named “Cosme.” Is it a coincidence, or is a larger conspiracy afoot?

The Rye Horn

• On Saturday, June 1 at 2:10 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Tuesday, June 4 at 4:45 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Jaione Camborda, Spain / Portugal / Belgium, 2024. 105 minutes.
• Original title: O Corno.
• In Galician and Portuguese with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

María is a midwife assisting women through the hardships of natural birth. But occasionally, she is also called upon to perform abortions, strictly illegal in Francoist Spain. When a terrible accident occurs, she is forced to flee. Heading to the border with Portugal to escape trouble with the authorities, she relies on a new community of women who are willing to help her along the way.

Jokes & Cigarettes

• On Saturday, June 1 at 4:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Monday, June 3 at 7:10 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by David Trueba, Spain, 2023. 117 minutes.
• Original title: Saben Aquell.
• In Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

At late 60s, Eugenio is a young jeweler who falls in love with Conchita and they two create a musical duo. When she leaves music, he starts as a humorist and eventually he turns into one of the most important comedians in Spain.

Un Amor

• On Saturday, June 1 at 7 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Tuesday, June 5 at 7 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Isabel Coixet, Spain, 2023. 129 minutes.
• Original title: Un Amor.
• In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Based on the novel by Sara Mesa. Upon settling in the countryside village of La Escapa, Nat accepts a disturbing sexual proposal by neighbour Andreas, paving the way for a self-consuming passion.

Under Therapy

• On Saturday, June 1 at 9:35 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Sunday, June 2 at 4:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Gerardo Herrero, Spain, 2023. 93 minutes.
• Original title: Bajo Terapia.
• In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

A psychologist summons three married couples to an unknown location for an urgent group therapy session. She won’t be there in person, but she’s left a series of prompts for the couples to work through together

Foremost By Night

• On Sunday, June 2 at 12:15 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Tuesday, June 4 at 9:35 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Víctor Iriarte, Spain / Portugal / France, 2023. 109 minutes.
• Original title: Sobre Todo La Noche.
• In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Vera searches for her biological son, given up in adoption, but is told her files don’t exist. She later comes across Cora and her adoptive son Egoz.

Mamífera

• On Sunday, June 2 at 2:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Monday, June 3 at 5:10 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Liliana Torres, Spain, 2024. 93 minutes.
• Original title: Mamífera.
• In Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Lola’s unplanned pregnancy disrupts her life plans. She resists motherhood while Bruno wants to be a father, forcing her to confront her fears and societal expectations as she seeks clarity on her future.

Something Is About to Happen

• On Sunday, June 2 at 6:45 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Antonio Méndez Esparza, Spain / Romania, 2023. 122 minutes.
• Original title: Que Nadie Duerma.
• In Spanish and Catalan with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Lucía is fired from her company and decides to start a new life as a taxi driver. At the same time, she falls madly in love with her neighbor, an actor who is fond of Puccini’s opera, Turandot.

One Night With Adela

• On Sunday, June 2 at 9:15 pm. Buy tickets.
• On Monday, June 3 at 9:30 pm. Buy tickets.
• Directed by Hugo Ruiz, Spain, 2023. 105 minutes.
• Original title: Una Noche Con Adela.
• In Spanish with English subtitles. Watch trailer.

Adela embarks on a violent, drug-fueled night to exact furious revenge on those who ruined her life. A bold debut at an extraordinary pace.