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
Joel Shumacker( 8MM, Batman and Robyn ) has distroyed so many films yet they still let him near a camera. Why lord, WHY!
Mind you he has made The Lost Boys and Tigerland for which i would let him off with a light public whipping.
I wouldn’t blame the director entirely… I’d blame Hollywood’s insistence on dumbing down.
No i blame him personally 🙂
I think he got lucky with a few scripts but in general he is a bad director.
I blame hollywood for paying him to do stuff.
You say ‘you should watch it…’ and while I don’t argue that the film is great – it is, and Bardem is excellent – I’m not sure everyone should watch this film. Why? Because I was personally upset for days after watching it!
If you want to question life and what is valuable in life and are prepared to be shaken then sure, watch it. Or alternatively if you are so rock solid sure of everything around you that you will not be moved, then go ahead and watch it… if you don’t fall into either of those categories… you’ve been warned at least!