Álex de la Iglesia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Álex de la Iglesia
Álex de la Iglesia [Photographer: Chus García]
Born	Alejandro de la Iglesia Mendoza (1965-12-04) 4 December 1965 (age 59) Bilbao, Biscay, Spain
Alma mater	University of Deusto
Occupation	Film director screenwriter producer
Spouse(s)	Amaya Díez ​ (m. 1997⁠–⁠2010)​ Carolina Bang ​ (m. 2014)​
Children	4

Alejandro "Álex" de la Iglesia Mendoza (born December 4, 1965) is a famous Spanish film director, screenwriter, and producer. He used to draw comic books too!

His movies are known for mixing funny moments with dark or scary themes. Many of his films are called "dark comedies" because they make you laugh even when dealing with serious topics like death. They often have elements of horror or drama. Most of his films were written with his friend, Jorge Guerricaechevarría.

Biography

Early Life and Comics

Álex de la Iglesia studied philosophy at the University of Deusto. But he also loved drawing comics! He drew for small fan magazines called fanzines and other magazines. He looked up to famous comic artists like Alex Raymond (who created Flash Gordon) and Stan Lee (who helped create Spider-Man and The Hulk).

Between 1986 and 1989, he started one of Spain's first role-playing game clubs in Bilbao.

First Steps in Film

Álex de la Iglesia started in the film world as an art director. He worked on a short film called Mamá (1988) and a feature film called Todo por la pasta (1991). He even designed the poster for another film, Tu novia está loca (1988).

His first short film as a director was Mirindas asesinas (1991). This film caught the eye of the famous director Pedro Almodóvar. Almodóvar's company, El Deseo, helped Álex make his first full-length movie, Acción mutante (1993).

Breakthrough with The Day of the Beast

Álex de la Iglesia became a very important Spanish director with his next movie, El día de la Bestia (1995). He wrote it with Jorge Guerricaechevarría. This film won six Goya Awards, which are like Spain's Oscars, including Best Director! The movie also made Santiago Segura a well-known actor and brought back actress Terele Pávez, who became a regular in Álex's films.

A Unique Director

Álex de la Iglesia is known for his smart, dark, and sometimes over-the-top sense of humor. He has worked with many famous Spanish actors like Carmen Maura. He has also directed Hollywood stars such as Rosie Pérez, Elijah Wood, John Hurt, and Salma Hayek.

Some of his notable films include:

• Perdita Durango (1997) with Javier Bardem and Rosie Pérez.
• Muertos de risa (1999) with Santiago Segura.
• La comunidad (2000) starring Carmen Maura.
• 800 Bullets (2002).
• Crimen ferpecto (2004).
• Los crímenes de Oxford (2007) with Elijah Wood and John Hurt.

The Last Circus and Awards

His film, Balada triste de trompeta (released as “The Last Circus” in 2010), won two big awards at the Venice Film Festival. It received an award for Best Screenplay and the Silver Lion for Best Direction. It was also nominated for fifteen Goya Awards in 2011.

Big Box Office Successes

In 2011, Álex de la Iglesia released La chispa de la vida (“As Luck Would Have It”), starring José Mota and Salma Hayek.

He then directed Las brujas de Zugarramurdi (2013), which was a big hit in Spain. It earned 14.6 million euros and won eight Goya Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Terele Pávez.

In 2015, he surprised everyone with Mi gran noche (“My Big Night”). This movie brought back the famous Spanish singer Raphael to cinema after 40 years! It was another box-office success.

In 2017, Álex de la Iglesia released two films: El Bar and Perfectos desconocidos (“Perfect Strangers”). Perfectos desconocidos was his biggest hit yet, earning almost 20 million euros.

Pokeepsie Films: A Production Company

In 2009, Álex de la Iglesia and producer Carolina Bang started their own film company called Pokeepsie Films. Their goal is to support new and exciting filmmakers. Pokeepsie Films has produced many successful movies and TV shows. These include 70 Big Ones, Skins, Shrew’s nest, and the popular HBO series 30 monedas.

In 2021, Álex de la Iglesia directed a new film called El cuarto pasajero (“Four’s a crowd”). It was released in Spain in October 2022 and did very well at the box office.

The Fear Collection

Pokeepsie Films also started a special project called The Fear Collection. This is a partnership with Sony Pictures and Amazon Prime to create a series of horror films. Álex de la Iglesia and other Spanish directors will direct these movies. The first film in this collection was Venicephrenia, directed by Álex de la Iglesia himself. The second was Venus, directed by Jaume Balagueró.

Television Work

Álex de la Iglesia has also directed for television. He worked on sketches for TV shows and directed the science fiction comedy series Plutón B.R.B. Nero (2008).

In 2020, he presented his horror series 30 monedas (“30 Coins”) at the Venice Film Festival. It premiered on HBO Spain and quickly became the most-watched show in Spain in 2021. The series is about a priest who is an exorcist, boxer, and ex-convict.

Presidency of the Film Academy

On June 21, 2009, Álex de la Iglesia was chosen to be the president of the Academy of Cinematographic Arts and Sciences of Spain. This Academy is very important for Spanish cinema. His main goals were to bring back artists who had left the Academy and to fight against film piracy. He wanted to protect the people who make movies.

In 2010, he gave a famous speech at the Goya Awards. He talked about the need for laws to protect everyone in the film industry. He also took part in discussions about a law to stop illegal downloading of movies online.

Recurring Collaborators

Álex de la Iglesia often works with the same actors and actresses in his films. He trusts them a lot! Santiago Segura got his first big role from Álex. Other frequent collaborators include Mario Casas, Carlos Areces, and the late Terele Pávez and Álex Angulo. His co-screenwriter, Jorge Guerricaechevarría, has worked with him on almost all his movies.

Books

Álex de la Iglesia has also written books. In 1997, he published his first novel, Payasos en la lavadora (“Clowns in the Washing Machine”). His second novel, Recuérdame que te odie (“Remind me to hate you”), came out in 2014. In 2022, a collection of his essays about his graphic art was released.

Filmography

Film

Producer only

Short film

Other work

Television

Awards and Accolades

Goya Awards

Silver Condor Awards

Medalla de plata de la Comunidad de Madrid (2016)

Medalla de Oro al Mérito en las Bellas Artes (Gold Medal of Merits in the Fine Arts - 2020)

Interviews

• Slant
• Green Cine Daily
• Boston Globe
• IFC
• Village Voice

See also

In Spanish: Álex de la Iglesia para niños