NEWS
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Worst year for culture
the olive press - December 11 - December 23 2013
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Rocky Horror El Gordo show
Filmmaker Almodovar insists the government is ‘deaf and insensitive’ to the arts SPAIN’S leading filmmaker has accused the government of destroying its culture. Pedro Almodovar attacked PP leader Rajoy as he ac-
cepted an honorary prize at the European Film Awards in Berlin. The 64-year-old filmmaker (right) described the govern-
ment as ‘deaf and insensitive’ to the country’s problems and railed against its ‘awful cultural policy’. Spanish state funding to the
Telefonica goes to the pictures
TELEFONICA has invested in Tadeo Jones 2, the sequel to one of Europe’s most successful animation films this decade. The move makes it one of the biggest film production companies in Spain. Telefonica Studios, a branch of the telecoms company Telefonica, is required by law to invest in or buy local movies in both Spain and Argentina each year. It has recently made commitments to a range of new Argentine productions, via the country’s broadcast network Telefe.
CRITICS have questioned why Spain’s king was apparently not able to travel
to the funeral of Nelson Mandela this week. His son Felipe took his
TWEET TWERP MORGAN Freeman’s portrayal of Nelson Mandela may be Oscar-worthy - at least if the reaction of Levante’s goalkeeper is anything to go by. Keeper Javi Martinez caused a stir on Twitter after seemingly confusing actor Morgan Freeman – star of The Shawshank Redemption – with former South Africa President Nelson Mandela, the man jailed for 27 years for his part in the struggle against Apartheid. Martinez tweeted, “Very sorry to hear of the death of Nelson Mandela, one of the greatest actors that Hollywood has ever known.” He later claimed his account had been hacked although Freeman portrays Mandela in the film Invictus.
arts, including film, has been drastically reduced in recent years. It has also crippled cinema audiences by insisting theatres charge IVA at 21% on all tickets. Almodovar called 2013 ‘the worst year’ for his industry. Furthering his scathing broadside at the ruling PP’s austerity measures, the Volver director saluted ‘the resistance of the citizens who are victims of this government’. Presented at Berlin’s Festspiele arts centre, the 26th European Film Awards were broadcast live in 15 countries and were also streamed online.
King misses Mandela funeral
place alongside Prime Minister Rajoy, as they flew out together to Johan-
nesburg. Mandela was a guest at Felipe’s wedding to Leticia in 2004. The king was apparently unable to fly due to a recent operation, although some wondered if it was due to his recent disastrous trip to Africa, when he was photographed posing with the body of MISTAKEN IDENTITY: Levante a dead elephant goalkeeper thought actor Morgan he had shot. Freeman, not Mandela had died
A HORROR spoof of the El Gordo lottery television advert has gone viral. The scary version has attracted almost 1.7 million views on YouTube in just a few days. In the popular video a soppy Christmas scene has been transformed into a horror show, with scared children recoiling in fear at the sound of the Spanish crooners who star in the ad. The official advert, which has become a laughing stock for being too kitsch, has been seen just 270,000 times. It stars Spanish singers Montserrat Caballé, Raphael, Marta Sánchez, Niña Pastori and David Bustamante. See ‘Fat Chance’ on Page 6
Secret song
RUMOURS are rife Shakira and Rihanna are to release a Christmas duet. The Spain-based beauty, who is married to Barcelona player Gerard Pique, is believed to be in LA filming a video with Rihanna, after the new mum’s
body double let the arrangements slip on Twitter. In a tweet that was subsequently removed, Alexita Ortiz wrote: “Working on set with Shakira as her stand in for the new music video featuring Rihanna.”
Chico’s Hard Rock gig FORMER Gypsy King Chico Castillo will launch his Greatest Hits album at the Hard Rock Café in Puerto Banus on December 13. The singer and guitarist - whose last album Batucada sold over a million copies - will also play a live set at the event. Since leaving the Gypsy Kings Chico has been involved in a variety of projects, most notably his Gypsy Fusion show, as well as performing on the Buddha Bar albums.
HITS GREAT: Chico to launch album in Puerto Banus