Spanish filmmaker Carlos Saura died on Friday February 10, 2023 at the age of 91, the Spanish Academy of Cinema announced. A figure of European cinema, he notably directed Cria Cuervosin 1976.
” The Cinema Academy deeply regrets to announce the death of Carlos Saura “, we learned through the social network Twitter this Friday, “ one of the fundamental filmmakers in the history of Spanish cinema, who died today at his home at the age of 91, surrounded by his loved ones “, specifies the Academy of arts and sciences of the cinema of Spain.
The director thus leaves behind him around fifty cinematographic works. ” His last movie, Las paredes hablanwas released on Friday, proof of his tireless activity and love for his profession until his last moments “, explains the Academy.
Su última película, Las paredes hablan, se estrenó el pasado viernes, muestra de su incansable actividad y de su amor por el oficio hasta el último momento. Mañana, in the Auditorio Andalucía de Sevilla, the 37 edition of los Goya will commemorate the memoria of an irrepetible creator.
— Academy of Cinema (@Academiadecine) February 10, 2023
Carlos Saura was to receive an honorary Goya on Saturday in Seville, precisely from the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Cinema in Spain. A tribute will finally be paid to him on this occasion, the Spanish cinema awards ceremony, to “ the memory of an irreplaceable creator “, according to the Academy.
A “fundamental figure of Spanish culture”
Born on January 4, 1932 in Huesca, in the north of Spain, into a family of artists, Carlos Saura obtained his first worldwide recognition in 1966, in Berlin. A Silver Bear for The hunt. In 1975, he released Cria Cuervosallegory of the Franco dictatorship, jury prize at Cannes and nominated for the César for best foreign film, whose success will go hand in hand with that of “Porque te vas”, a song by José Luis Perales interpreted by Jeanette.
The Spanish director is first inscribed in the register of social realism, before moving towards musical films, in particular on flamenco. From the death of Franco, in 1975, he gradually moved on to love hymns to tango and fado, Argentine folklore and Aragonese jota, opera and flamenco.
” Filmmaker, photographer, scenographer, total artist, Carlos Saura is gone. National Cinematography Award in 1980, his career has received every accolade imaginable and, above all, the love, appreciation and recognition from all of us who enjoy his films writes the Minister of Culture, Miquel Iceta Llorens.
Our already Carlos Saura, fundamental figure of the Spanish culture.
Su talento es y será siempre cultural patrimonio de nuestra historia gracias a pellículas inolvidables como ‘Ay, Carmela’ o ‘La prima Angélica’.
Decimos adiós al director de la imaginación, pero nos queda su cine. pic.twitter.com/FAv8Of3Vhv
— Pedro Sanchez (@sanchezcastejon) February 10, 2023
” Carlos Saura, a fundamental figure in Spanish culture, is leaving us. His talent is, and always will be, a cultural heritage of our history thanks to unforgettable films such as ¡Ay, Carmela! Or The prima Angelica. We say goodbye to the director of the imaginary, his cinema remains “, comments the head of government, Pedro Sánchez.
“An essential work for deep reflection”
” With Carlos Saura, a very important part of the history of Spanish cinema dies. He leaves behind an essential work for a profound reflection on human behavior. Rest in peace, friend “, reacted the Spanish actor, director and producer Antonio Banderas, giant of Iberian cinema.
Prolific, Carlos Saura played on the imagination in films with a sophisticated aesthetic, a style that was both lyrical and documentary, centered on the fate of the poorest. He often depicted characters from the bourgeoisie, tormented by their past and floating between reality and fantasy, comments Agence France-Presse.
Several times married and a father, the sacred monster had notably been in a relationship with Geraldine Chaplin, whom he considered his muse with whom he had had a child.