Amenábar does not make forgettable films.
His first full-length feature film was Tesis [1996], which was subsequently remade by Hollywood as 8MM [1999] starring Nicholas Cage.
I saw Tesis in Spain when it first came out and was completely bowled over. The film’s theme is dark – snuff movies and would surely have been a challenge to any director. When you consider that it was made on a shoestring budget it really does show up so many of the Hollywood multi-million dollar productions.
Shortly after Tesis [1996] he followed it up with Abre los Ojos starring Penelope Cruz. Most people are probably familiar with the Americanised remake Vanilla Sky [2002] starring Cruise alongside Penelope Cruz who reprised her role from the original.
As is so often the case the American remake is but a hollow shell compared to the original.
His most recent film Mar Adentro (The Sea Inside) is currently available on DVD and you should watch it.
The case of Ramon Sampedro maybe familiar to some people, but for those to whom it isn’t here is a brief synopsis.
Ramon Sampedro was seriously injured in an accident leaving him paralysed and bed-ridden. He wanted to end his life, but the Spanish state would not condone or allow euthanasia.
The film is extremely powerful and if it does not bring tears to your eyes, then you are probably lying.
Some related links:
Official Site
El Mundo(in Spanish)
Bio of the director (in Spanish)
Euthanasia
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