Film - Where Do We Go Now? - ¿Y Ahora Dónde Vamos?

 I had the chance to be invited by the Ambassador of Lebanon in Madrid of the Lebanese film originally "Et maintenant on va oú? in Spanish ¿y ahora dónde vamos? The film is directed and interpreted by Nadine Labaki, who not only is extremely pretty (she reminds very much Monica Belucci) but very talented. This film is her second work; she already collected great success in her first film "Caramel".

Film - Salmon Fishing in the Yemen - Cinema Renoir Cuatro Caminos

I had read the book "Salmon Fishing in the Yemen" by Paul Torday in 2008 and enjoyed it very much for its funny british spirit. I was surprised to see it on screen so decided to go to the cinema and it was worth it. This time my cinema choice was Renoir Cuatro Caminos (Raimundo Fernández Villaverde 10) with all films in original language.

Sleep and eat as in a film - Dormir De Cine

Dormir de cine is really something different!! They call it cooltural rooms and it is a new concept for urban hospitality. A new accommodation concept aimed to cinema lovers that has recently opened in Madrid, with 85 themed rooms representing 85 of the most famous movies in cinema history.

Film - Intouchables

Today I recommend another French film: "Intouchables". A true story of two men who should never have met - a quadriplegic aristocrat injured in a paragliding accident and a young black man from the suburbs. Both live a dramatic reality but together they manage to make life optimistic and brilliant. Cheerful film with outstanding work by the two main actors François Kluzet and Omar Sy, directed by Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano. Delightful intelligent humor.

Contemporary Art Center - El Matadero

El Matadero is an amazing space worth the visit. Conceived in the premises of ancient Madrid slaughterhouse, this Contemporary Art Center aims to be the city’s biggest centre for contemporary creation and a leading international space dedicated to present-day creation.
A changing space with a focus on drama, visual arts, design, music, dance, architecture, urbanism, landscapism, fashion, literature, and cinema.  

Given its location, Matadero Madrid extends the Recoletos-Prado cultural axis to Legazpi Square, moving the centre of Madrid further out towards the vicinity of the River Manzanares. 

Program of activities is intense; from cinema to, exhibitions, performances, dance, music, public installations, workshops... You can even organize you own private event in different size spaces. You can find monthly program here. 

If weather is nice, I suggest going for the day and alternate cultural visits with a nice walk through its huge central square plus a tasty lunch at its theatre cafe.

Film - The Artist

I liked it! Must confess it did not inspire me much to see a no color no talk film, but given the critics by people I rely on I decided myself to go to watch The Artist. It is captivating; actors are surprising, script is remarkably original and rhythm is perfect. You can understand why people were passionate about silent cinema; facial expressions are crucial and good enough to transmit everything to the viewer. My bet is: it will get a good bunch of Oscar prizes.

Great Jean Dujardin

Film - The Descendants - Cine Cité Manoteras

Not a bad Clooney but not extraordinary. Handsome, yes!

Went to the cinema on Friday night. In Madrid you can easily find cinemas showing english language films with Spanish dubbing: Renoir, Yelmo, Verdi,… I like Manoteras Cine Cité, they have great seats (called VIP in rows 10 to 12) and easy parking. Surrounding sound a little bit excessive...

We went to watch “the Descendents”, very last film by George Clooney. Not bad but a bit disappointing; a mix of comedy and important drama in Hawaii surroundings. His performance is not very touchy; well, the whole film does not touch you even if the underlying story is very dramatic (wife in coma and difficult relationship with teenage daughters). You always see a screen in front of you, do not get really involved in the story. Yet, remarkable the performance by in-coma wife’s father the actor Robert Forster.