Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)
El laberinto del fauno

This movie the best I can tell is a joint effort of both Spain and Mexico. It is a dark fantasy film that takes place in Spain having Spanish actors yet written and directed by Mexican film-maker Guillermo del Toro. It is Narnia and Alice in Wonderland mixed with the most fascist of Spanish Civil War settings.

Specifically the story involves a young girl Ofelia play by Ivana Baquero. She must go with her pregnant mother (Ariadna Gil) to live with her new step-father Captain Vidal (Sergi Lopez) at his military encampment. The mother is left torn between the two as Ofelia and her step-father pensively become mutual threats to each other. During this time Ofelia meets a mystical faun named Pan (Doug Jones) who has several dangerous tasks for her to complete if she wishes to be reunited with her deceased father. The mix of childhood imagination and the evils of a dark adulthood will leave you wondering which is real.

While this may be a fantasy film centered around a child and a child’s innocence it is not for children.

Time Crimes (2007)
Los Cronocrimenes

Another R rated recommendation out of Spain. You may think this sci-fi thriller starts out slow and almost comical in the quirkiness of Hector, played by Karra Elejalde. Stick with it however as you will soon realize the story is moving faster than you realized. A man that inadvertently becomes a victim of time travel witnesses a terrible crime. Who is the perpetrator and can Hector do anything to change or prevent the chain of events from happening? At once a film both bizarre and yet very intelligent. A mere 89 minutes long makes this is a great introduction to Spanish films… even more so if you enjoy the science fiction genre.

Also stars:
Candela Fernandez

Director:
Nacho Vigalondo