Farewell to Nacho Duato marks the opening of a yearlong showcase by the Fundación Mediterráneo Cinematheque in Alicante. The program centers on the latest documentary profiles of influential figures in music and dance, featuring both renowned stars and lesser-known artists. All titles are screened Mondays at 19:00, with a three-euro admission, running from January through May in the Aula de Cultura of the Fundación Mediterráneo.
January 30 kicks off the loop with Nacho Duato as the guiding thread. The showcase includes a study in movement and memory, reflecting on the recent farewell performance by the National Dance Company at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. On February 6, the screen presents a portrait of Charlotte Gainsbourg in a film about her mother, the iconic singer and actress, Jane Birkin. The intimate cinematographic work, which premiered at the most recent Cannes Film Festival, offers a rare view into a family marked by art and rebellion.
Kaiser of Atlantis (2022) by Sebastián Alfie, a dramatic exploration of resistance during dark times, stands beside a documentary about two musicians in the Terezín concentration camp who crafted an opera that ridiculed tyranny. Omar (2021) presents a poignant look at the Afro-Cuban music scene through the life of a guiding figure. Omara Portuondo, the 92-year-old legend from Buena Vista Social Club, is celebrated in a dedicated portrait, while a film devoted to a master sound engineer traces the roots of one of popular music’s enduring masterworks. The program continues with a close examination of the economic and social tides that shaped the music world.
March 3 opens a sequence of six short works focusing on women, cinema, and dance in Spain, followed on March 13 by a musical that examines Basque dances and the symbols tied to regional identity. A broader narrative then arrives with a documentary about a multiethnic punk rock collective that challenged apartheid in South Africa. Other selections explore the life of Panamanian musicians and entertainers, shedding light on how culture, politics, and artistry intersect in hostile environments.
Another vivid portrait follows Aranoa and Sabina in a documentary that captures enduring influence across decades. The screening highlights the ways in which art can reflect and reshape national memory. The program continues with a look at the late 20th century and the influence of critical voices in music and cinema, offering audiences a layered view of cultural figures who left an imprint on their generations. A notable session closes with reflections on the life of a legendary musician whose career spanned continents and genres, underscoring how a single artist can resonate across borders.
Sant Joan Film Library opens on Monday
In Sant Joan d’Alacant the 2023 programming for the Filmoteca begins on a Monday with an accessible free entry at the Culture House. The slate includes noir titles that echo classic Fury and betrayal from the era of Max Ophüls, followed by an Argentine film about a place in the world that captured hearts across festivals. The program highlights the works that earned the Donostia and Goya recognitions of 1992 and also features a black comedy about mortality set in a crematorium. The season continues with a Czech classic noted for its wit and historical resonance.
A romance unfolds between two homeless people in a late 20th century urban tapestry, while a river of history runs through the life of a world-renowned poet and filmmaker. The sequence touches on the condor era and follows a sweeping arc across continents. The collection will also honor artistic legacies that shaped cinema and music, weaving together stories of resilience, love, and the power of art to endure through hardship.
In addition to film screenings, the festival presents a forum exploring literary film adaptations. Classic works such as a renowned story by Dickens are juxtaposed with modern screen interpretations, and selections draw from celebrated authors and filmmakers to illuminate the dialogue between literature and motion pictures.