Films are a great opportunity to learn more about Spanish and Latin American cultures, as well as being an excellent resource for developing your active listening skills, which will turn your viewing time into veritable studying sessions, so you can kill two birds with one stone!
Here’s a list of my all time favourites:
Society of the Snow
This one is not for the faint-hearted! This is the true story of a group of Uruguayans who are involved in a plane crash in the Andes in 1972.
I first learnt about this story when visiting Punta del Este, Uruguay last year, as the son of a famous artist in area – Carlos Páez Vilaró, creator of Casapueblo – was one of the rugby players on the flight.
I wouldn’t watch this twice as it’s so harrowing, but it’s an incredible story of resilience.
Available on Netflix.
Ocho Apellidos Vascos
Called Spanish Affair in English, Ocho Apellidos Vascos has been accused by some of being stereotypical but I personally loved it because it showed more of the Spain that I was familiar with (the Basque Country) than a lot of other Spanish films do. It also made me desperate to visit Seville!
One thing I would say is that the sequel, Ocho Apellidos Catalanes, leaves a lot to be desired. Stick with the original.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Los Diarios de Motocicleta
The Motorcycle Diaries is one of my favourite films of all time (in any language!). Anyone interested in Latin America and its incredible landscape will love this film.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Volver
If you’re learning Spanish and you’re particularly interested in Spain, then at some point it’s worth discovering one of Pedro Almodovar’s films, which are notoriously controversial at best and downright gross at worst.
Volver is by far my favourite of his films; it still has a dark underbelly but it’s a beautiful depiction of female relationships and strength.
Available on Amazon Prime.
El Laberinto del Fauno
Pan’s Labyrinth is a Spanish-Mexican dark fantasy film, set during the Spanish Civil War. It’s visually superb and the viewing is palpable.
I love this film and I’ve seen it many times; it’s a favourite of mine to show to students.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Roma
Roma is a semi-autobiographical take on the upbringing of Alfonso Cuarón (writer and director) in Mexico City.
It’s BEAUTIFUL. Tissues at the ready.
Available on Netflix.
También la Lluvia
Even the Rain is simply beautiful and tragic. It’s really refreshing to see such an awful injustice (the attempts of the Bolivian government to privatise water) be represented by such a well-known cast, allowing further light to be shed on the Cochabamba riots of 2000. The many accolades the film received are proof of its excellence.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Argentina, 1985
Argentina, 1985 is a historical legal drama film and it follows the 1985 trial of members of the military government that ruled Argentina under the dictatorship from 1976–1983. It became the most watched film of 2022 in Argentina, which shows the importance of the story’s telling.
I watched this when I visited Buenos Aires, and it made my visit feel even more poignant.
Available on Amazon Prime.
Have you watched any of these? What would you add to the list? Comment below!
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