(1) The 
Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway-- The Spanish edition of this novel is titled Fiesta... and that it is. This jaunt of a book details the adventures of an American expat with war-induced arrested development living out the ultimate romantic dream. Jake Barnes is a writer in Europe engaged in an unpredictable and passionate romance that is doomed from the start. With self-reflection limited to the bottom of a pint glass, Barnes is a protagonist that any escapist can embrace. Based on the travels of the author, "Don Ernesto" Hemingway, the title Fiesta alludes to the annual bull-fights in Pamplona, where the novel culminates and Barnes comes across a young bullfighter whose courage and independence inspires him to re-evaluate his values and friendships in the "Lost Generation" of post-WWI Europe. This book includes many of Hemingway's old haunts in Madrid.
Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemingway-- The Spanish edition of this novel is titled Fiesta... and that it is. This jaunt of a book details the adventures of an American expat with war-induced arrested development living out the ultimate romantic dream. Jake Barnes is a writer in Europe engaged in an unpredictable and passionate romance that is doomed from the start. With self-reflection limited to the bottom of a pint glass, Barnes is a protagonist that any escapist can embrace. Based on the travels of the author, "Don Ernesto" Hemingway, the title Fiesta alludes to the annual bull-fights in Pamplona, where the novel culminates and Barnes comes across a young bullfighter whose courage and independence inspires him to re-evaluate his values and friendships in the "Lost Generation" of post-WWI Europe. This book includes many of Hemingway's old haunts in Madrid. (2) Shakir
a -- At first, I was reluctant to embrace her tunes as her vibrato can be eerily strong... BUT at the end of the day, my head said "no" and my hips said "yes." Even listening to her ballads makes me shimmy! What can I say? Her music can most aptly be described as No Doubt goes Latino, in which she undoubtedly (no pun intended) fulfils the stylish and strong female Gwen Stefani-role. Some of her English-crossover radio hits include "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes," and I would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't heard "Hips Don't Lie" (as I think I read somewhere that it broke the world record for the most radio play in history). My favorites include proud and uber-dancey "La Tortura," and the romantic ballad, "The Day and The Time," an adaptation of her "Día Especial." Her music is really catchy and the Spanish songs have really helped me get used to the rhythm of the Spanish language in an enjoyable way.
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a -- At first, I was reluctant to embrace her tunes as her vibrato can be eerily strong... BUT at the end of the day, my head said "no" and my hips said "yes." Even listening to her ballads makes me shimmy! What can I say? Her music can most aptly be described as No Doubt goes Latino, in which she undoubtedly (no pun intended) fulfils the stylish and strong female Gwen Stefani-role. Some of her English-crossover radio hits include "Whenever, Wherever" and "Underneath Your Clothes," and I would be hard-pressed to find someone who hasn't heard "Hips Don't Lie" (as I think I read somewhere that it broke the world record for the most radio play in history). My favorites include proud and uber-dancey "La Tortura," and the romantic ballad, "The Day and The Time," an adaptation of her "Día Especial." Her music is really catchy and the Spanish songs have really helped me get used to the rhythm of the Spanish language in an enjoyable way.(3) The films of Pedro Almodóvar-- As far as I can tell, Almodóvar (inset, on the set of his 2006 "Volver") is Madrid's unofficial spokesman and its most high profile film-maker. His films show an unfaltering devotion to the Spanish landscape as the background of complex stories that combine serious domestic issues with mystical superstitions. He blends reality and dreams in a way no other story-teller has. His works are like Dalí paintings come to life. His glorification of woman as both mother and muse is fascinating as is hi
s blend of colorful aesthetics with compelling music. One of his most popular (and controversial films) is "La Mala Educación" (2004) (a.k.a. "Bad Education"), which is as brilliantly mysterious as it is explicitly passionate; with a well-founded NC-17 rating, this film is far from the traditional love story as it centers around sex, gender play and Church scandal. I understand that is not everybody's cup of tea, so I would suggest giving the charming and mystical "Volver" a chance (2006- stars Penelope Cruz at her best, as the maternal protagonist having to confront past ghosts in order to re-evaluate the present) and then, if you like that, I would suggest the Freudian case study that is 2002's "Hable Con Ella" ("Talk to Her"). "Hable Con Ella" is my personal favorite. It is about the delusions of loneliness and the beauty of the ethereal (one character captures the film's theme beautifully, “de la muerte emerge la vida, de lo masculino emerge lo femenino, y de lo terreno emerge lo etéreo”...from death comes life, from the masculine comes the feminine and from the earth the ethereal emerges).
(4) La Eurocopa 2008 and the boys of Real Madrid-- I love soccer, a
nd I have a soft spot for the under-dog. That is why this past summer's Euro Cup tournament was especially enjoyable. The young Spanish national team fought its way to win the cup (pictured) and changed the world's perception of Spain as futbol's chronic underachievers. I would be lying if I said hunky goalkeeper Iker Casillas had nothing to do with my enthusiastic support of both Spain's national team and La Liga's Real Madrid. Honestly, I'm impressed both teams manage to win any games, considering I'm about 98% sure Real Madrid recruits based on looks... okay, so every team has a Marla Hooch (Pepe?), but look at Casillas, Fabio Cannavaro, Raúl, and even the Val Kilmer-esque Sergio Ramos... Hola, my theory speaks for itself and if you are STILL unconvinced, keep in mind that Beckham used to be on Real Madrid, and they tried to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo pretty aggressively... hahah just saying.
s blend of colorful aesthetics with compelling music. One of his most popular (and controversial films) is "La Mala Educación" (2004) (a.k.a. "Bad Education"), which is as brilliantly mysterious as it is explicitly passionate; with a well-founded NC-17 rating, this film is far from the traditional love story as it centers around sex, gender play and Church scandal. I understand that is not everybody's cup of tea, so I would suggest giving the charming and mystical "Volver" a chance (2006- stars Penelope Cruz at her best, as the maternal protagonist having to confront past ghosts in order to re-evaluate the present) and then, if you like that, I would suggest the Freudian case study that is 2002's "Hable Con Ella" ("Talk to Her"). "Hable Con Ella" is my personal favorite. It is about the delusions of loneliness and the beauty of the ethereal (one character captures the film's theme beautifully, “de la muerte emerge la vida, de lo masculino emerge lo femenino, y de lo terreno emerge lo etéreo”...from death comes life, from the masculine comes the feminine and from the earth the ethereal emerges).(4) La Eurocopa 2008 and the boys of Real Madrid-- I love soccer, a
nd I have a soft spot for the under-dog. That is why this past summer's Euro Cup tournament was especially enjoyable. The young Spanish national team fought its way to win the cup (pictured) and changed the world's perception of Spain as futbol's chronic underachievers. I would be lying if I said hunky goalkeeper Iker Casillas had nothing to do with my enthusiastic support of both Spain's national team and La Liga's Real Madrid. Honestly, I'm impressed both teams manage to win any games, considering I'm about 98% sure Real Madrid recruits based on looks... okay, so every team has a Marla Hooch (Pepe?), but look at Casillas, Fabio Cannavaro, Raúl, and even the Val Kilmer-esque Sergio Ramos... Hola, my theory speaks for itself and if you are STILL unconvinced, keep in mind that Beckham used to be on Real Madrid, and they tried to recruit Cristiano Ronaldo pretty aggressively... hahah just saying.(5) Woody All
en's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)-- I really enjoyed this flirtatious movie about two American best friends who vacation in Spain and encounter a charming, passionate painter with a psychotic ex-wife. The Woody Allen humor is there, with his command over character quirks that leaves the audience laughing and thinking "he/she WOULD say that. that is SO like him/her."... This film was fun and light. I'm pretty sure I read that its production was partly funded by Tourism Barcelona (hence the title), and it certainly shows off Barcelona's architecture and other picturesque tourist sights like an antique amusement park. Also, part of the film is set in lesser-known Asturias and highlights its humble, exotic beauty. The acting was great, starring Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem (sans the Anton Chigurh pilgrim hair-cut, thank God) and the almost animal-looking Penélope Cruz (who is always very striking and beautiful but, I swear, a million times better at acting when she is speaking her native Spanish, which she got to do in this... I read Allen let Cruz and Bardem do a lot of improv when the script called for them to speak Spanish in this film. It made for a pretty amusing dynamic between the two).
en's Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008)-- I really enjoyed this flirtatious movie about two American best friends who vacation in Spain and encounter a charming, passionate painter with a psychotic ex-wife. The Woody Allen humor is there, with his command over character quirks that leaves the audience laughing and thinking "he/she WOULD say that. that is SO like him/her."... This film was fun and light. I'm pretty sure I read that its production was partly funded by Tourism Barcelona (hence the title), and it certainly shows off Barcelona's architecture and other picturesque tourist sights like an antique amusement park. Also, part of the film is set in lesser-known Asturias and highlights its humble, exotic beauty. The acting was great, starring Scarlett Johansson, Javier Bardem (sans the Anton Chigurh pilgrim hair-cut, thank God) and the almost animal-looking Penélope Cruz (who is always very striking and beautiful but, I swear, a million times better at acting when she is speaking her native Spanish, which she got to do in this... I read Allen let Cruz and Bardem do a lot of improv when the script called for them to speak Spanish in this film. It made for a pretty amusing dynamic between the two).
2 comments:
Great article, Mari.
I have to say that I, too, succumb to Shakira-hip-itis.
Something about her Spanish fare feels much better than the translated-to-english crud.
Also, this cracks me up:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jlVwBDPvi6A
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