MADRID.- Cineteca Madrid, part of the Area of Culture, Tourism, and Sports, is ringing in the holiday season with a rich lineup of programming that includes German cinematic classics, beloved family films, and thought-provoking retrospectives. The December schedule also features special events, including the Animario International Festival of Contemporary Animation and tributes to creative icons like Burnin’ Percebes and Nobel laureate Elfriede Jelinek.
German Cinema Takes Center Stage
This year’s ‘Siempre Clásicos’ series spotlights German cinema, celebrating 15 influential films that have shaped the nation’s cinematic legacy. Presented in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut, the program spans from silent-era masterpieces like Nosferatu (1922) by F.W. Murnau to modern classics such as Run Lola Run (1998) by Tom Tykwer.
The selection includes works by visionary directors such as Fritz Lang, Lotte Reiniger, Werner Herzog, and Wim Wenders. A highlight is Reiniger’s The Adventures of Prince Achmed (1926), the world’s oldest surviving animated feature. This unique series not only showcases the evolution of German cinema but also reflects the country’s political, social, and artistic transformations.
Holiday Magic for Families
Cineteca Madrid also embraces the festive season with a selection of family-friendly holiday classics. Films like Home Alone (1990), The Dark Crystal (1982), and Edward Scissorhands (1990) promise nostalgia for adults and captivating stories for children. Other highlights include Who Framed Roger Rabbit? (1988), Gremlins (1984), and Hook (1991), offering a blend of humor, fantasy, and universal values.
Reflecting on 35 Years Since the Fall of Communism
Marking the 35th anniversary of communism's collapse in Eastern Europe, the ‘1989: Puntos de Vista’ series examines the region’s historical transformation through films from countries such as Germany, Poland, and Romania. Titles like Citizen Havel (2007) and 12:08 East of Bucharest (2006) provide unique perspectives on the political and social changes of the era.
Burnin’ Percebes: A Decade of Innovation
From December 19 to 22, Cineteca Madrid celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Spanish filmmaking duo Burnin’ Percebes with a retrospective of their bold, genre-defying works. The program includes screenings of Searching for Meritxell (2014) and The Queen of the Lizards (2019), accompanied by discussions with the directors.
Honoring Elfriede Jelinek
On December 1, the venue will host a tribute to Austrian author and Nobel Prize winner Elfriede Jelinek. The double feature includes Elfriede Jelinek, The Untamed Language (2022), exploring her creative process, and The Piano Teacher (2001), a gripping adaptation of her novel.
Animario Festival and New Releases
The Animario International Festival of Contemporary Animation returns from December 12–15, showcasing innovative animated works like María Trénor’s Rock Bottom. Additionally, Cineteca premieres several new films, including La Parra (2024) by Alberto Gracia and When Autumn Falls (2024) by François Ozon.
