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Spanish cinema is enjoying a high profile outside Spain thanks to the success of actors like Penélope Cruz and Antonio Banderas and the directors Pedro Almodóvar and Alejandro Amenábar. Amenábar directed The Others with Nicole Kidman and the excellent Abre los Ojos (remade as the disappointing 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 attention to detail. Cinema-going is very popular in Valencia, and while most cinemas show dubbed versions of the latest Hollywood schlock, there are some art house cinemas which show an offbeat selection of foreign or experimental films. The best is the excellent Filmoteca, which regularly showcases the work of new directors and supports and promotes film-makers in the Valencia region. It also hosts the Filmoteca d'Estiu, a series of outdoor films held during the summer. 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 2200-2300 sell out the quickest, so you stand a better chance of getting tickets to the most popular films if you don't mind an earlier showing. Cines Babel, C/Vicente Sancho Tello 10 (next to Av Aragón), T 963 626 795, http://www.cinesalbatrosbabel.com">http://www.cinesalbatrosbabel.com Bus 12, 79 80. Metro Aragón. Undubbed films with the emphasis on independent and cult movies. Filmoteca, Plaça de l'Ajuntament/Plaza de Ayuntamiento 17, T 963 519 130. Bus 4, 6, 8, 10, 14, 16, 17, 19, 35, 36. Metro Xàtiva. Film seasons featuring classics, individual directors, foreign films and special events. Films are V.O and entrance is very cheap. Look out for the excellent outdoor summer festival, La Filmoteca d'Estiu, when cult and foreign films are shown in the Jardins del Palau de la Musica. Minicines Albatros, Plaça/Plaza Fray Luis Colomer 4, T 963 932 677, http://www.cinesalbatrosbabel.com">http://www.cinesalbatrosbabel.com Bus 12, 79 80. Metro Aragón. Films in V.O. with a good selection of late night films (madrugada) starting at 0045 for night owls.
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