04/07/2002 - Iberian films gain ground in France despite extenuating delays in their release dates

La comunidad by energetic Spanish director, Alex de la Iglesia was just released in France. The film, which stars Carmen Maura, gained the favour both of French critics and distributors who seem to have discovered a newfound appreciation of contemporary Iberian film. A veteran in this field is Pedro Almodovar, whose Habla con ella was seen by close on 2m French filmgoers. The Art& Essai association recently organised the French premieres of two of Alejandro Amenabar´s early films, Tesis andOpen Your Eyes and on 10 July, Miguel Albaladejo´s El Cielo Abierto will be released. Despite the cordial reception, Spanish films are struggling to gain a foothold in the Gallic market: released onto the home market in September 2000, La Comunidad reached Italy in April 2001, Germany in August but France took until now. Fully two years later and in spite of having won numerous important awards.

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