Well Worth Watching Movieblog: Spanish Cult Cinema Icon

Alex de la Iglesia is a massive Icon of Spanish Cult Cinema.
Renowned for breaking the boundaries of Spanish Cinema Dogma in the film industry, and producing movies that are unpredictable, shocking, surrealistic and also humorous in a completely subtle form of cynical and anarchistic expression made through the endless sequences of absurd and surprising events that occur in his screenplays.
The only Director/producer comparable that makes what might possibly be called a similar kind of movie, is maybe Quentin Tarantino - Alex de la Iglesia's most Internationally famous movie has a very "Pulp Fiction" kind of surrealism in the senseless disregard for society displayed by the charact6ers in the movie.

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Dark Humour is definitely the main engine behind many of the plots in Alex's films. The Spanish Comedy star Santiago segura (famous for the films Torrente I II & III, El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast) and other films) is often to be seen appearing in movies by Alex de la Iglesia.

Download/Buy El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast) From Amazon

Alex de la Iglesia was born in Bilbao, Spain in 1965. He is a philosophy graduate from the University of Deusto who ended up working in the comic book field at a young age. He had a brief stint in television before finding work as production designer on Pablo Berger's 'Mama'. This little seen short film focuses on a family forced to live in a basement after a nuclear war and features a little boy who wears a Batman costume.

Enrique Urbizu came calling for his production designer services in 1991 for 'Todo por la pasta' (Anything For Bread) a Basque crime thriller which was nominated for 4 Goya Awards, and won 1 (best supporting actress). A good film to get De La Iglesia noticed.

He then met Jose Guerricaechevarria and together they made the short film, Mirindas Asesinas (1991), in which a boring man, whose mind is gradually degenerating, is on the verge of becoming a psychotic killer. The two men became fast friends and have worked together ever since, writing the screenplays to every one of De La Iglesia's films.

In 1993 De La Iglesia received a big break when Spain's most famous director, Pedro Almodovar, produced his debut feature Accion mutante (Mutant Action). This tale of a group of crippled and handicapped outcasts in the future taking arms against handsome oppressors, became an independent success globally. It also received two prizes at the Montreal Fantasia Festival, and three Goya's.

The next step he took was El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast) (1995). It won 6 Goya's, the Best Director award amongst them. It also marked his first collaboration with producer Andres Vicente Gomez.
El día de la Bestia (known as The Day of the Beast in English markets) is a 1995 Spanish black comedy film directed by Alex de la Iglesia and featuring Santiago Segura and Álex Angulo.

DOWNLOAD "EL DIA DE LA BESTIA" TORRENT

Plot

It revolves around a Roman Catholic priest dedicated on committing as many sins as possible (Angulo), a death metal salesman (Segura), and the host of a TV show on the occult (De Razza). These go on a literal "trip" through Christmas-time Madrid to hunt for and prevent the reincarnation of the Antichrist.

Cast

* Álex Angulo : Father Ángel Beriartúa
* Armando De Razza : Professor Cavan
* Santiago Segura : José María
* Terele Pávez : Rosario
* Nathalie Seseña : Mina
* Maria Grazia Cucinotta : Susana

Above Pic - Santiago Segura in "day of the beast"

Wanting to build on the success of 'The Day Of The Beast', Gomez hired Iglesia to direct 'Perdita Durango' based on novelist Barry Giffords '59 Degrees and Raining; The Story of 'Perdita Durango'. Barry Gifford helped out on the script also. Isabella Rosselini played Perdita Durango in David Lynch's 'Wild At Heart', also based on a Gifford work.

The film was in English, but did not prove as great a success as hoped; for some it felt too post Tarantino, a barb sure to hurt an original talent like Iglesia. The film was also more nasty in its violence, and confronting (though with typically dark humour), resulting cuts and running times around the globe varying from 95 minutes in South Korea to 126 minutes in Spain. It was rumoured Bigas Luna was originally offered the directors chair for the film.

Back in Spain, Iglesia had success with 'Dying of Laughter' (1999) nominated for 3 Goya's, won 2 (a dark comedy about a Martin & Lewis style comic duo with no love for each other); 'La Comunidad' (2000) 15 Goya nominations, won 3 ( a dark comedy/thriller set in an apartment block with a money scamble); '800 Bullets' (2002) 4 Goya nominations, 1 win, (a homage to spaghetti westerns), and 'Crimen ferpecto' (2004), again a dark comedy thriller with a man aspiring to perfection, winning 6 Goya's as a result. All these films have the recipe of dark humour, selfish aspirational characters, and very sexy situations.

DOWNLOAD "EL DIA DE LA BESTIA" TORRENT

De La Iglesia himself also provided the voice of The Underminer in the Spanish language dubbing of The Incredibles (2004).

In 2006 he directed an episode of the TV series Peliculas para no dormir (Films To Keep You Awake) titled 'The Baby's Room'.

He has directed Elijah Wood and John Hurt in The Oxford Murders, which is his second movie in English, released in Spain in January 2008.

Filmography

* Acción mutante ('Mutant Action', 1993)
* El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast), 1995)
* Perdita Durango ('Dance with the Devil', 1997)
* Muertos de risa ('Dying of Laughter ', 1999)
* La comunidad ('Common Wealth', 2000)
* 800 balas ('800 Bullets', 2002)
* Crimen ferpecto ('Ferpect Crime', 2004)
* La habitación del niño ('The Baby's Room', 2006)
* The Oxford Murders (2008)

Acting

* Los Increíbles (The Incredibles Spanish version, voice)

Info Source: Wikipedia

Extra Data on Alex de la Iglesia

Awards: He has recieved till now 14 wins of 14 Nominations!
Date of Birth: 4 December 1965, Bilbao, Spain .
List of Acheivements:
Director:

* In Production
* 2000s
* 1990s

1. Think About Disney (2008) (in production)
2. The Yellow Mark (2009) (announced)
... aka Marque jaune, La (France)
... aka The Yellow M (USA: informal English alternative title)
3. "Plutón Verbenero" (2008) TV series (filming)

4. The Oxford Murders (2008)
... aka Crimes à Oxford (France)
5. Películas para no dormir: La habitación del niño (2006) (TV)
... aka Films to Keep You Awake: The Baby's Room (International: English title)
6. Crimen ferpecto (2004)
... aka Crimen perfecto (Italy: DVD title)
... aka El Crimen Perfecto (The Perfect Crime) (USA)
... aka Ferpect Crime (International: English title)
7. 800 balas (2002)
... aka 800 Bullets (International: English title)
8. Comunidad, La (2000)
... aka Common Wealth (UK)

9. Muertos de risa (1999)
... aka Dying of Laughter (Canada: English title)
10. Perdita Durango (1997)
... aka Dance with the Devil (USA: video title)
11. El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast)(1995)
... aka Giorno della bestia, Il (Italy)
... aka The Day of the Beast
12. Marbella antivicio (1994) (VG)
13. Acción mutante (1993)
... aka Action mutante (France)
... aka Mutant Action
14. Mirindas asesinas (1991)

Writer:

* In Production
* 2000s
* 1990s

1. The Yellow Mark (2009) (announced) (writer)
... aka Marque jaune, La (France)
... aka The Yellow M (USA: informal English alternative title)

2. The Oxford Murders (2008) (screenplay)
... aka Crimes à Oxford (France)
3. Películas para no dormir: La habitación del niño (2006) (TV) (writer)
... aka Films to Keep You Awake: The Baby's Room (International: English title)
4. Crimen ferpecto (2004) (writer)
... aka Crimen perfecto (Italy: DVD title)
... aka El Crimen Perfecto (The Perfect Crime) (USA)
... aka Ferpect Crime (International: English title)
5. 800 balas (2002) (writer)
... aka 800 Bullets (International: English title)
6. Comunidad, La (2000) (writer)
... aka Common Wealth (UK)

7. Muertos de risa (1999) (writer)
... aka Dying of Laughter (Canada: English title)
8. Perdita Durango (1997) (screenplay)
... aka Dance with the Devil (USA: video title)
9. Día de la bestia, El (1995) (writer)
... aka Giorno della bestia, Il (Italy)
... aka The Day of the Beast
10. Acción mutante (1993) (writer)
... aka Action mutante (France)
... aka Mutant Action
11. Mirindas asesinas (1991) (writer) (as Alex de la Iglesia)

Producer:

* In Production
* 2000s

1. Think About Disney (2008) (in production) (producer)
2. "Plutón Verbenero" (2008) TV series (filming) (co-producer)

3. The Oxford Murders (2008) (producer)
... aka Crimes à Oxford (France)
4. Crimen ferpecto (2004) (producer)
... aka Crimen perfecto (Italy: DVD title)
... aka El Crimen Perfecto (The Perfect Crime) (USA)
... aka Ferpect Crime (International: English title)
5. 800 balas (2002) (producer)
... aka 800 Bullets (International: English title)

Production Designer:

* 1990s
* 1980s

1. Todo por la pasta (1991)
... aka Anything for Bread (International: English title: informal literal title)

2. Mama (1988)

Art Director:

1. Todo por la pasta (1991) (as Alejandro de la Iglesia)
... aka Anything for Bread (International: English title: informal literal title)
2. Mirindas asesinas (1991) (as Alex de la Iglesia)

Actor:

1. "Show de Flo, El" (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 13 November 2002 (2002) TV episode

Miscellaneous Crew:

1. Tu novia está loca (1988) (collaborator)
... aka Your Girlfriend Is Crazy

Thanks:

1. Límite, El (2004) (special thanks)
2. Haz conmigo lo que quieras (2003) (thanks)
... aka Kill Me Tender (USA: literal English title)

Self:

* 2000s
* 1990s

1. XXII Premios Anuales de la Academia (2008) (TV) .... Himself - Presenter: Best Director
... aka XXII premios Goya (Spain: informal title)
2. "Página 2" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode #1.14 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
3. "Continuarà..." .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 26 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
4. "Días de cine" .... Himself (2 episodes, 1996-2008)
- Episode dated 17 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 30 November 1996 (1996) TV episode .... Himself
5. "Caiga quien caiga" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 16 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
6. "Hormiguero, El" .... Himself - Guest (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode #4.4 (2008) TV episode .... Himself - Guest
7. "Buenafuente" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 14 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
8. "2 noticias, La" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 14 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
9. "Cartelera" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 12 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
10. "Miradas 2" .... Himself (1 episode, 2008)
- Episode dated 11 January 2008 (2008) TV episode .... Himself
11. Maquillando entre monstruos (2007) (TV) (also archive footage) .... Himself
12. "The Real Extras" .... Himself (1 episode, 2007)
- Totally Magazine (2007) TV episode .... Himself
13. "Versión española" .... Himself (3 episodes, 1999-2006)
- Episode #8.22 (2006) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 18 March 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 23 November 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
14. XX premios Goya (2006) (TV) .... Himself - Presenter: Best New Actor
15. "Corazón de..." .... Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 22 November 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
16. "Magacine" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 14 October 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
17. "Matins a TV3, Els" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005)
- Episode dated 15 April 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
18. "Club, El" .... Himself (1 episode, 2005)
... aka Club estiu, El (Spain: Catalan title: summer title)
- Episode dated 29 March 2005 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
19. "Cerezas, Las" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2004-2005)
- Episode #1.23 (2005) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode #1.1 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
20. XIX premios Goya (2005) (TV) .... Himself
21. "Gran Vía de Madrid" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode dated 28 October 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
22. "Lo + plus" .... Himself (4 episodes, 1997-2004)
- Episode dated 21 October 2004 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 18 October 2002 (2002) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 12 March 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
- Episode dated 11 June 1997 (1997) TV episode .... Himself
23. "Dos rombos" .... Himself (1 episode, 2004)
- Episode #1.5 (2004) TV episode .... Himself
24. Noin (2003) .... Himself
25. "Una altra cosa" .... Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 29 October 2002 (2002) TV episode .... Himself
26. "Noche con Fuentes y Cía, La" .... Himself (1 episode, 2002)
- Episode dated 27 October 2002 (2002) TV episode .... Himself
27. "100% cine" (2001) TV series .... Himself - Guest
28. "Gran ilusión, La" .... Himself (2 episodes, 2000)
- Huevos de oro (2000) TV episode .... Himself
- Sé infiel y no mires con quién (2000) TV episode .... Himself
29. "Anfitrión, El" .... Himself (1 episode, 2000)
- Episode #1.1 (2000) TV episode .... Himself

30. "Séptimo de caballería, El" .... Himself (1 episode, 1999)
- Episode dated 22 March 1999 (1999) TV episode .... Himself
31. "Esto es lo que hay" .... Himself (1 episode, 1996)
... aka Esto es lo que hay con Àngel Casas (Spain)
- Episode dated 2 February 1996 (1996) TV episode .... Himself
32. VII premios Goya (1993) (TV) .... Himself - Nominee: Best New Director
Thanks for Info taken from www.imdb.com

Links - Vinculos
http://www.clubcultura.com/clubcine/clubcineastas/delaiglesia/home.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%81lex_de_la_Iglesia

Castellano:

Arquetipo de una nueva generación de cineastas españoles de los noventa -Medem, Urbizu, Bajo Ulloa-, Alex de la Iglesia, nacido en Bilbao en 1965, se licenció en filosofía mientras devoraba centenares de tebeos y se dedicaba a organizar laberínticas aventuras de rol.
Tras el rodaje de Perdita Durango contrajo matrimonio en un local de Las Vegas; el iba disfrazado de Elvis y ella de charro mexicano.
En 1997 se lanzó a escribir una novela, "Payasos en la lavadora", que editó planeta.
En breve se adentrará en el mundo televisivo para rodar una serie para la que quiere contar con Alex Angulo y Santiago Segura: "Hospital Psiquiátrico".
Frase: "Lo del cine con mensaje es una chorrada. Siento que El Dia De la bestia (day of the beast) tenga un posible mensaje antifascista, eso es que todavía no sé hacer buenas películas. Santiago (Segura) y yo pretendemos llegar a la estupidez perfecta, la diversión pura, en la que no haya ningún mensaje en absoluto."