The Madrid Film Academy opened an afternoon tribute to Carlos Saura, who died last Friday at age 91. A personal photograph of Saura was displayed as the chapel set afire near Calanda, while drums echoed the town’s heritage. Saura was renowned for receiving the Goya de Honor and for his starring role in Pippermint Frappé.
On the stage where the chapel burned, just after noon, Saura’s family and his widow were present. Calanda, a village in Teruel’s Bajo Aragón, birthplace of Luis Buñuel, is a place where Saura filmed scenes for Pippermint Frappé with Geraldine Chaplin. The atmosphere linked his early connections to Aragon with his later cinematic achievements.
Ten Drummers in Attendance
Ten drummers joined the opening ceremony as Saura’s relatives arrived. A wide media presence gathered alongside a substantial security setup. The expectation was high that Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez would be in attendance to honor the filmmaker’s legacy.
Beside Saura’s photographs on the stage set, a montage of film footage complemented the display. A director’s chair covered in red flowers, Saura’s familiar hat and glasses, and a camera he assembled himself offered a tangible look at his working life.
In addition to the visual tribute, a series of artworks titled Photosaurus attracted interest. These pieces include enlargements created through drawing and painting techniques, reflecting the producer’s broader artistic curiosity beyond cinema.
Throughout the day, family members, friends, and colleagues paid their respects to one of the most influential figures in Spanish cinema’s history.
Honorable Goya
Saura directed landmark Spanish films such as Cría cuervos, La caza, and Flamenco. He passed away on the eve of receiving the Goya de Honor award from the Academy of Cinema, an honor placed during a Saturday ceremony at the Andalusia Auditorium in Seville. Saura’s widow accepted the award on his behalf, accompanied by actress Eulalia Ramón and two of his seven children, Antonio and Anna, as the event reflected on his enduring impact on the Aragonese film community and on younger generations of filmmakers.
Saura’s career spanned many roles: photographer, cartoonist, writer, and filmmaker. He remained active nearly to the end, with his latest release a week prior, the documentary Las paredes hablan. The film maps the arc from ancient rock art to contemporary graffiti, tracing the roots of artistic impulse.
Next Wednesday, Saura’s latest project, Lorca por Saura, premiered at Madrid’s Infanta Isabel Theater. The show featured singer India Martínez in a performance that embraced poetic reinterpretation. Throughout his career, Saura earned international recognition, including the Silver Bear for Best Director at the Berlin International Film Festival for La caza and Pippermint Frappé, and a Special Jury Prize at the Cannes Film Festival for La prima Angélica. He also received Goya awards for Best Director and Best Adapted Screenplay, with Oh Carmela! and the Film Academy Gold Medal in 1992 among his honors.
The Council of Ministers prepared to confer a Grand Cross of the Civil Order of Alfonso X the Wise in recognition of Saura’s indisputable contribution to Spanish culture and art, acknowledging him as one of the most important artists in Spanish history. His passing marks the closure of a prolific era and a lasting influence on contemporary Spanish cinema.
Related posts:
White Gaming Chair With Footrest The goalscorers of Lionel Scaloni’s cycle in the Argentina national team Carlos Saura Remembered: A Lifetime of Vision and Vitality in Spanish Cinema Goya Awards to Honor Carlos Saura with Goya de Honor in Seville Carlos Saura Atares Dies at 92: A Look at a Storied Career Goya Awards 2023: Contenders and Favorites Across the Categories Generative Engine Optimization (GEO): The Future of SEO is Here Goya Awards Tribute to Carlos Saura: A Family’s Honoring of a Filmmaker’s Legacy Antonio Saura Essential in Valencia: A Retrospective Insight Grok and the New Era of Transparent AI Development Grok AI Bot Across Platforms: Telegram, iOS, and North American Use Grok and xAI: Musk’s Real-Time AI Vision and Public Discussion