arena
Two new films have just won the top prizes in their respective countries: Celda 211 (or Cell 211), by Spanish director Daniel Monzón; and A Prophet, directed by France’s Jacques Audiard. Both are prison dramas. Both are currently on release in Spain. Both are box office smashes. And that’s pretty much where the similarities end.
Celda 211
A Prophet is a confidently directed, superbly acted, universal story of a young man’s rite of passage into hell; at the same time it’s an indictment of France’s brutal prison system, where a disproportionate number of Arabs are locked away, often for relatively minor crimes. Celda 211, on the other hand, is a lacklustre yarn based on a formulaic script, lacking in tension, poorly acted and directed, with two-dimensional characters, clunky plot twists, a few weak-kneed criticisms of the system thrown in for plot purposes, and a predictable ending that is too long in coming.
After cleaning up in cinemas throughout France, A Prophet has gone on to do good business in the UK, where it was the first foreign language film to break into the top 10 since Pedro Almodóvar’s Broken Embraces, last August. It was also a candidate for best foreign film at the Oscars, losing out to Argentina’s The Secret in their Eyes. A Prophet is already a classic.
........................................................................................... Celda 211 was not among the three films shortlisted to represent Spain at the Oscars, and has won no international prizes, although it did well at the domestic Goya prizes.
SPANISH FASHION
The Spanish fashion industry has taken the entire world by a storm. The place is inhabited by some of the world’s most attractive and stylish people who carry themselves with poise and elegance. Consequently, several leading fashion designers have set up their base in the Mediterranean country.
Spain fashion is an integral part of the culture Spain. Be it the formal suits and elegantly cut tuxedos or be it the slightly unconventional and experimental rainproof ponchos, balloon silhouettes and the fashionable checked and striped sweaters, Spanish men have a plethora of options when it comes to smart dressing. Women too, need not be disappointed. They can collect a haute-couture of some very stylish clothes in bold and dashing prints that are well cut with fine lines and silhouettes that accentuate the figure. Besides sleek jewellery, elegant footwear and accessories are also available aplenty in the country.
The Spanish Health Ministry however has mandated that all Spanish clothes wear brands ranging from Zara, Mango, Inditex, Cortefiel and El Corte Ingles
maintain uniformity when it comes to defining the clothing sizes of the women. The widely varying sizes tend to result in extreme depression and some figure conscious women and young teenagers take to crash dieting. Thus health disorders and the strong possibility of suffering from anorexia bulimia have prompted the health officials to undertake this measure.
.................................................................................................................. Spanish fashion is nevertheless, in short, a wondrous medley of beauty, style, lines, cuts and silhouettes in myriads of colours and bold striking prints.
What a result!!!
THE VALERIE JEAN SCHOOL OF DANCE held their annual examination on Saturday 13th March at the L´Ancora Studio, Javea, and are delighted that their students gained 12 Honours and 5 Highly Commended in Grades 3 Tap, Grade 4 Jazz and Grade 2 Ballet. The examiner Francena Reston from Blackpool remarked that the standard was very high and that all the children were a credit to their teachers.
Lucy Glister, teacher at the school also gained an Honours with 91 percent for her “Member” Jazz exam,
leaving Lucy a fully qualified teacher for both British Ballet Organisation and S.I.P.B.E syllabus. Valerie Jean, Principal of the Dance School, says she is very proud of her students who are now in full rehearsals for their forthcoming spectacular “Gotta Dance” at the Careline Theatre, Alcalali, Saturday 29th May and also for the Javea International
Festival on Saturday 19th June.
Valerie’s sister school the Stage School Of Performing Arts have
also had outstanding results for their recent LAMDA examinations, which saw students from 7 to 17 years gain 9 distinctions, 7 merits and a pass.
The all singing, dancing and acting pupils are looking forward to their next production of ‘The Adventures of Peter’, being staged at The Careline Theatre Alcalali, on June 12th.
The Stage school is running an Easter playscheme at L’Ancora studios, Javea from 5th – 9th April, with egg hunts, arts and craft, pop academy, It’s a knockout and much, much more! For more details of the Easter playscheme or how to join the fun at The Valerie Jean School and The Stage School, then visit www. valeriejeandance.com or www.thestageschool.com or call
lucy@thestageschool.com
4
The Orbit
APRIL 2010
Compiled by The Orbit and the Internet
A cinema industry locked in confusion
QorreO
Do you ever read the daily paper in Spanish and get the gist of the stories but still feel you’re missing out on understanding the real nitty-gritty? QorreO is a new website that aims to fill you in on all the latest Spanish news in English. Written by a small team of top Spain-based English-speaking journalists, the site offers serious breakdowns of what’s going on in terms of politics, economics, cul- ture, sport and technology in the Iberosphere—that’s to say Spain and all the countries within its political, economic and cultural sphere of influence.
..................................... http://qorreo.com
Ciudadanos: El Nacimiento de la Política en España,
T1808-1869
o celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the events that led to the Constitution of 1812, which rejected absolute monarchical rule for the first time in Spanish history, Madrid’s Centro Cultural Conde Duque hosts this exhibition about the birth of the modern political era in Spain. The display features over 200 artefacts, including manuscripts, stamps, prints, medals and sculptures, all reflecting the moment when Spaniards began to create their own national identity and share power throughout the population.
......................................................................................................................... Ciudadanos: El Nacimiento de la Política en España, Centro Cultural Conde Duque, C/Conde Duque, 9-11 (Metro: Ventura Rodríguez/Plaza de España/Noviciados). Tel: 91 588 58 34. Tues-Sat 10am-2pm, 6-9pm; Sun, holidays 10.30am-2pm. Free. Until 18 April.
A few great drinks to try in Spain
One of the main pleasures of travelling is discovering new food and drink. Not only are these delicious treats enjoyable in themselves, but they are such an important part of any culture that getting to know them is one of the very best ways to get the feel for a place and really sink in to the life there. Spain is a great place to do this. The Spanish take food and drink seriously, not in a solemn way, but as a great social pleasure to be enjoyed, and they have great respect for the quality of what they consume, for the hard work and artistry which goes into its preparation.
So, here are a few Spanish drinks, some well-known, some hidden gems. Enjoy them in moderation.
•
Tinto de verano
Everybody has heard of sangria- the mixture of wine, juice, brandy and fruit pieces which for many people typifies Spain. There is no denying that it is a great drink, but on the down side you can normally only order it by the jug, which can be expensive. If what you are after is a quick, light, refreshing drink, then try tinto de verano
simple mixture of red wine and lemonade, usually served in a tall glass over ice – perfect for hot summer nights.
•
San Miguel beer
Most regions and even individual towns in Spain have their own brand of beer, but a great favourite is San Miguel, brewed in Malaga, the capital of the Costa del Sol. It is a light, crisp beer, with a smooth aftertaste and it goes down a treat on its own or with a meal.
• •
Rioja wine
This northern region gave its name to the most famous wine in Spain. The best known wines from Rioja are reds, which go very well with a good steak or other meats. Less well known but equally well worth trying are the lighter rosé versions and the crisp, fresh white wines.
Cava wine
This is the Spanish equivalent of Champagne and comes from Catalonia, in the north- east of Spain. The most famous brand is Freixenet although there are well over 200 cava producers. Cava is a light, normally dry sparkling wine, and it has a very important place in Catalan culture and cookery. Try it either as an aperitif, or with one of the combination dishes of poultry cooked with fruit for which Catalonia is famous.
• ( Licor 43) Licor Cuarenta y Tres
This is quite simply the ultimate after-dinner drink. As the name suggests, it is made from a mixture of 43 different ingredients,
including citrus and other fruits, herbs and spices and vanilla, which all together produce a glowing golden drink with a smooth and warming flavour, containing hints of chocolate and bananas. Normally served over ice, it is slightly sweet, but with a serious bite.
.................................................................................... Do not live in Spain nor come on holiday without trying one or all of these wonderful drinks!
100% ENTERTAINMENT MONTHLY
a
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31