Spanish Oscar/Goya Awards

The article is not exactly about Spanish movies, this article is about exploring a new dimension of films.

How do you find a new movie to watch? I bet you use iMDB or another movie recommendations service. Most probably you’ve already seen every single movie from the top (from any presented top or from a favorite actor/director) and you find yourself scrolling the same list again and again, clicking on related movies, etc.

Recently, I’ve found a solution for myself and, most probably, it helps you too, that is local Academy Awards.

I love Spain and Spanish culture, hence, it’s reasonable to explore Spanish motion pictures and see, what they can offer.

Not so long ago, I came across Goya Awards (Premios Goya in Spanish), which you can relate to as well-known Oscar Awards. Indeed, it’s quite similar and has the same purpose initially — to reward the best films of each year, but in Spain.

These movies you most probably won’t see in tops. They are quite niche and don’t have such a huge budget as almost any US movie, but it doesn’t mean, that they are worse. I’d say, it’s even the opposite. They provide a new dimension to search for movies. Local, country-wise awards are not so exposed to world trends and hot topics, thus you can believe and rely on winners more.

You can get acquainted with the films on the official website.

Favorite movies from Goya Awards

I watched a lot of Spanish movies, but as now we talk about Goya Awards, then, I can highlight the next 3 for a start:

1. The Good Boss. It’s a comedy and satire, but don’t be tricked, surprisingly, the movie is not so simple and has a second (or even third) meaning. After watching it, my wife and I debated on this a lot. If you decide to watch it, here is a hint — a Spanish name El buen patrón fits it better.
2. The Others. I know, I know, most probably you’ve already seen this famous movie with Nicole Kidman, but you probably didn’t know, that this movie is actually Spanish and was awarded as the best film in 2001 at Goya Awards.
3. The Platform. Although, unlike the previous two, this movie did not become the best film of the year. Nevertheless, I love him quite a lot for the gloomy atmosphere and, although simple, but far-reaching idea. I would even call it psychological. From time to time, I return to the story in my thoughts, finding analogies in our world all the time.

Famous directors

Through the Goya Awards, you can also meet very famous and talented directors, such as:

1. Pedro Almodóvar
2. Fernando Trueba
3. Alejandro Amenábar

And many, many more.

Final note

As you start watching more and more Spanish movies, you notice, that the vast majority of them are slow, unhurried, with great attention to detail, a scene.

They are not blockbusters with quick actions and muscles and of course, cannot fit everyone, but if you are interested in spicing ordinary watching films and diversifying it a bit, you can definitely find something for yourself in Spanish cinema.