Luis García Berlanga facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Luis García Berlanga
|
|
|---|---|
Statue of García Berlanga in Sos del Rey Católico
|
|
| Born |
Luis García Berlanga Martí
12 June 1921 |
| Died | 13 November 2010 (aged 89) |
| Occupation |
|
| Years active | 1951–2002 |
| Spouse(s) | María Jesús Manrique de Aragón (1954-2010, his death) |
| Children | 4, including José Luis García Berlanga |
Luis García-Berlanga Martí (born June 12, 1921 – died November 13, 2010) was a famous Spanish film director and screenwriter. He is known as a pioneer of modern Spanish movies. His films often used humor and sharp observations to comment on Spanish society, especially during the time of the Francoist dictatorship.
Contents
Life and Career of Luis García Berlanga
Early Life and Film Studies
When he was young, Luis Berlanga first thought about studying law, and then philosophy. However, in 1947, he decided to follow his passion for movies. He joined the Institute of Cinematographic Investigations and Experiences in Madrid. This is where he learned how to make films.
Joining the Blue Division
During his youth, Berlanga joined the Blue Division. This was a group of Spanish volunteers who fought in World War II on the Eastern Front. He joined to protect his father, who was a politician and faced danger at that time.
Starting His Film Journey
Berlanga began his career as a film director in 1951. His first film was called That Happy Couple. He worked on this movie with Juan Antonio Bardem. Both Berlanga and Bardem are seen as important figures who helped renew Spanish cinema after the Spanish Civil War.
Key Films and Style
Many of Berlanga's films are very important in Spanish film history. Some of his most famous movies include Welcome Mr. Marshall! and The Executioner.
His films are known for their strong sense of irony and satire. He used humor to make fun of different social and political situations. During the Francoist State, there was strict censorship. Berlanga was very clever at getting his daring ideas past the censors. This allowed him to make bold films like Miracles on Thursdays.
Working with Others
In 1953, Berlanga and Juan Antonio Bardem also started a film magazine called Objetivo. The magazine was published until 1956. Berlanga also worked many times with the talented screenwriter Rafael Azcona. They made seven films together.
Awards and Recognition
Luis Berlanga received many important awards for his work. In 1986, he won the Prince of Asturias Award for Arts. This is a very prestigious award in Spain. In 1993, he won the Goya Award for best director for his film Everyone to Jail!.
His film Plácido was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1961. He also received the Gold Medal for Fine Art in 1981 and the Spanish National Cinematography Prize in 1980. He was also honored with the Italian Commendatore Order.
Berlanga won international prizes at several major film festivals. These include the Cannes Film Festival, the International Film Festival of Valencia, the Montreal World Film Festival, and the Berlin Film Festival. At the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival, he was recognized as one of the world's ten most important film directors. He also received many awards in Spain.
Filmography as Director
- Welcome Mr. Marshall! (¡Bienvenido Mister Marshall!) (1952)
- Esa pareja feliz (1953) co-written and co-directed
- Novio a la vista (1954)
- Calabuch (1956)
- Miracles on Thursdays (Los jueves, milagro) (1957)
- Plácido (1961)
- Las cuatro verdades (1962)
- El Verdugo (1963)
- Las Pirañas (aka La boutique, in Spain) (1967)
- ¡Vivan los novios! (1969)
- Tamaño natural (1973)
- La escopeta nacional (1977)
- Patrimonio nacional (1981)
- Nacional III (1982)
- La vaquilla (1985)
- Moros y Cristianos (film) (1987)
- Everyone to Jail! (¡Todos a la cárcel!) (1993)
- París-Tombuctú (1999)
- El sueño de la maestra (2002)
Filmography as Actor
- Días de viejo color (1968) (actor)
- No somos de piedra (1968) (actor)
- Corazón de bombón (2000) (actor)
- Hola Artemio (2001) (actor)
- Strangers to Themselves (Extranjeros de sí mismos) documentary (2001) (actor)
See also
In Spanish: Luis García Berlanga para niños
- Café Gijón (Madrid)
