The Spanish Civil War and its aftermath continue to haunt Spanish culture in general and Spanish film in particular.  Blind Sunflowers looks at the effect of the war on the children growing up under the new Franco regime in 1940. Elena (Maribel Verdú) lives alone with her two children, Lorenzo and Elenita.  But her home hides a dangerous secret in the person of Ricardo (Javier Cámara), a Republican schoolteacher presumed dead or emigrated.  While Elena seems to have adapted to this ruse, young Lorenzo can't quite figure it out: is it a game, or simply the way people live?  His confusion increases when one of his teachers, a young priest named Salvador becomes unexpectedly interested in his mother.  This year's Spanish submission for the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar.

Sponsored by Southpark Seafood Grill.

Founded by legendary chef Paul Bocuse, the Bocuse d'Or competition is pretty much the Olympics of haut cuisine, bringing 24 virtuoso chefs from around the world to Lyon every other year for a competition in which they have five and a half hours to prepare 12 portions of two complete meals.  The chefs represent not only themselves, but also their nations and national cuisines.  Spain's 20-year victory drought is something of a thumb in the eye, especially since San Sebastian boasts more Michelin-starred restaurants per square kilometer than any other place in the world.  López-Linares' mouth-watering film follows master chef Jesús Almargo as he seeks to bring the Bocuse d'Or home to Spain--an entertaining bite of haute cuisine infused with high drama. 

Filmography: Storm the Skies (96), Speaking of Buñuel (99), Strangers To Themselves (00), Carlos Saura (04).

Sponsored by Higgins.

Invitations have been sent to four notable Spanish mathematicians to attend a mysterious weekend excursion to a remote location (rowboat-across-the-lake remote).  Code names of famous mathematicians from history are assigned to protect their identities--or for some other sinister purpose?  The host is named Fermat, and the weekend's goal is to solve one of the world's greatest enigmas.  After an elegant dinner, though, the real challenge is presented: the foursome must solve incoming logic puzzles and submit the answers through a handheld PDA, or else… let's just say that not knowing your math might be dangerous to your health.  With their lives on the line, these four brains must solve their most profound equation yet: Why is someone trying to kill them?  Winner of the Audience Award at the Málaga International Week of Fantastic Cinema. 

First feature film