Instituto Cervantes presents film cycle on youth issues

MANILA, Philippines – Instituto Cervantes de Manila presents “Portraits of Youth,” a film cycle offering various studies of the Spanish youth universe from the ’80s onward.

The film cycle, in Spanish with English subtitles, screens every Saturday, 4 and 6 p.m. at Instituto Cervantes’ Salon de Actos. 

“Our eight-film line-up is a special collection that explores issues that are important to youth. These films focus on coming of age themes that will inspire the audience, especially the youth, to think critically about issues impacting their community,” says Instituto Cervantes director José Rodríguez.

“Portraits of Youth” opens on May 7, 4 p.m., with Pedro Almodóvar’s Laberinto de pasiones (Labyrinth of Passion), a comedy that follows the story of a nymphomaniac pop star who falls in love with a gay Middle-Eastern prince. This will be followed with the screening of Alejandro Amenábar’s psychological thriller Abre los ojos (Open Your Eyes), a film that depicts the story of a former womanizer (Eduardo Noriega), disfigured in a car crash, and has trouble distinguishing dreams from reality. American director Cameron Crowe remade this film as Vanilla Sky in 2001, with Tom Cruise in the lead role and Penélope Cruz reprising her role as Sofia.

Screening on May 14, 4 p.m., is El otro lado de la cama (The Other Side of the Bed), a story of two couples who entwine and change partners as they search for happiness and love. It will be followed at 6pm with the award-winning 2001 Spanish drama film Lucía y el sexo (Sex and Lucia), a film that chronicles the story of a young waitress (Paz Vega) who runs away to a secluded Mediterranean island after the death of her writer boyfriend.

On May 21, Salvador García Ruiz’ Mensaka screens at 4 p.m. while María Ripoll’s Tu vida en ´65 (Your Life in ’65) follows at 6 p.m.

The film cycle concludes on May 28 with the showing of Tapas, a film that centers on a Spanish tapas bar and the love lives of the loosely interconnected people in the neighborhood, at 4 p.m.; and Yo soy la Juani (My Name is Juani), a 2006 comedy-drama film written and directed by Bigas Luna. 

“Portraits of Youth” is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila in collaboration with the Spanish Embassy in the Philippines, and Spanish Agency International Cooperation for Development (AECID).

Admission to all the screenings is free on a first-come-first-served basis. For information, call 526-1482 or visit http://manila.cervantes.es. Instituto Cervantes de Manila is at 855 T.M. Kalaw St., Ermita, Manila.