Dear Travel Clinic,
I’m an aspiring cinema buff, and have recently become fascinated by the films of Pedro Almodóvar after seeing Broken Embraces. I know that he shot many of his early films in Madrid, and having picked up some bargain plane tickets I thought it could be the perfect opportunity to go and visit some of the places where my favourite scenes were shot. Can you tell me more about which places are worth visiting, and also any other film-related sights I shouldn’t miss?
Calvin Edwards, Glasgow
Dear Calvin,
Madrid is a cinephile’s paradise, not only the backdrop to eleven of Almodóvar’s most beloved films, but also the base for many classic Hollywood movies that you might not realise were shot in Spain.
Calvin might decide to start his trip with a tour of famous filming hotspots, organised by the Madrid Tourist Board. The dramatised tour ‘Madrid in the Movies’ tells tales, anecdotes and true stories about the locations where numerous movies have been shot throughout the city. Drawing on anecdotes about the characters and protagonists of those shoots, the guides reveal a practically unknown Madrid from the film-maker’s perspective.
With a newfound knowledge of Madrid’s cinematic history behind him, Calvin could choose to stay in the Petit Palace Italia Hotel on the Gran Via. This budget option costs from around £80 per night, but is situated in the midst of Madrid’s best cinemas, where many Hollywood films make their red-carpet Spanish debuts. The hotel is modern and well-equipped, and you may even catch a glimpse of a star from the window!
The next day Calvin could visit some of Almodóvar’s favourite shooting locations, including Villa Rosa in the Plaza Santa Ana. In the most famous scene of 1991’s High Heels, a drag queen performs a show that pillories the main character’s mother in this kitch bar. These days you’re more likely to hear flamenco-themed pop music while you sip your cervesa or oloroso here, but the romantic painted murals of Andalucían countryside are still very much in place.
Read the full article in our November 2009 issue.