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Spanish cinema is enjoying a high profile outside Spain, thanks to the success of people like Penélope Cruz (from Madrid); the director who made her famous, Pedro Almodóvar; and Alejandro Amenábar, who directed The Others with Nicole Kidman and the excellent Abre los Ojos (remade as the dire Vanilla Sky). Less well known but equally respected Spanish directors to look out for include David Trevor; the experimental film-maker Julio Medem; Alex de la Iglesia, whose film El Día de la Bestia has become a cult favourite; and Bigas Luna, whose films are almost fetishistic in their devotion to detail. Cinema-going is very popular in Madrid, and, while there are dozens of cinemas showing dubbed versions of the latest Hollywood schlock, there are plenty of smaller art house cinemas which show a more offbeat selection of foreign or experimental films. The cinema is cheap by most European standards, and is cheaper still on the día del espectador, which is usually Monday or Wednesday. Screenings around 2200 to 2300 sell the quickest, so you stand a better chance of getting tickets for the most popular films if you don’t mind an earlier showing. Cine Estudio del Círculo de Bellas Artes, C Marqués de Casa Riera 2, T 91 522 50 92. Metro Banco de España. Arthouse cinema attached to the Círculo de Bellas Artes. Cinesa Capitol, Gran Vía 41, T 902 33 32 31. Metro Callao. One of several beautiful, old cinemas from the early 20th century. There are great hand-painted billboards advertising its programme but films are almost always dubbed. Filmoteca Nacional, Cine Doré, C Santa Isabel 3, T 91 549 00 11. Metro Antón Martín. Ticket office open 1600-2245, bookshop open 1700-2230, bar-restaurant 1600-2400 (T 91 369 49 23). The home of the National Film Institute, this endearing art deco cinema puts on a varied programme of classics, foreign language films and film festivals. Outdoor screenings on the roof terrace in summer. Ideal Yelmo Cineplex, C Doctor Cortezo 6, T 91 369 25 18. Metro Sol or Tirso de Molina. Huge multiplex which shows most of the Hollywood blockbusters with Spanish subtitles. Monday is cheaper. Pequeño Cine Estudio, C Magallanes 1, T 91 531 63 61. Metro Quevedo. Delightful little art house cinema which mainly shows the classics from Hollywood’s Golden Age.
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