8/3/2019 Pub is 2012 in ForMadrid

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8/3/2019 Pub is 2012 in ForMadrid

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ForewordWe were casting Land and Freedom, a film about the civil war in Spain. Inevitably, therewere more parts for men than for women. Yet time after time we were meeting youngactresses who were imaginative and committed to their work. There was one inparticular we felt just had to be part of the project. Slight but strong, with a halo of red

hair, she had bright eyes and a lively chuckle. She was, along with Rosana Pastor,perfect for the peoples militia, through whose actions we were to experience the war.Only one problem there was no part to cast her in. The answer? We had to write anew character. Maite Iciar Bollain became indispensible and to us at least one ofthe most memorable fighters in the militia.Looking back, it was inevitable that Iciar would one day make her own films. That feistydetermination and that vivid imagination would not be contained within the work ofothers. And her experience as an actress was a good preparation. Her performancesare true and delicate and instinctive. It is the same with her directing. I think actors canmake good directors. They understand how actors function, how they can be madesecure or, in some cases, undermined. They know when to speak and when to stay

silent. They know, because they have been in the same situation, how vulnerable actorsare and what mechanisms they use to hide that.But Iciar is more than a good director of actors. The biggest question is not how do wemake this film? but what film should we make? Iciars choices have been impeccable.Her stories are humane, compassionate and show a commitment to justice andtolerance. And the chuckle is never far away.As you will have guessed by now, I can not be objective about Iciar. She is my friendand comrade.

Ken LoachAugust 2011

ContentsForewordIntroductionI. In front of the camera

1. El Sur(Vctor Erice, 1983): teenage-star for the New Spanish Cinema2. Un paraguas para tres(Felipe Vega, 1991): RomCom Bollan3. Land and Freedom(Ken Loach, 1995): acting history without a script4. Leo(Jos Luis Borau, 2000): redhead reckoning

II. Behind the camera1. Short films: shortcuts and longshots. Baja corazn(1992), Los amigos del muerto

(1995), Amores que matan(2000), Por tu bien(2004)

2. Hola, ests sola?(1995): the roads to freedom3. Flores de otro mundo(1999): homeward the women4. Te doy mis ojos(2003): eyes wide open5. Mataharis(2007): secrets, lies and truths6. Tambin la lluvia(2010): El Dorado burning

ConclusionFilmography

Films by Iciar BollanOther films mentioned

References