'Contemporary Voices. Conversations with the latest in Spanish cinema' is an attempt at expanding what has until recently been accepted as
'Spanish cinema'. The
fifteen Directors interviewed make it clear throughout the book that they reject Freudian theorizing to explain their work and do not obey the dictates of a uniform thought process. They each have interests of their own and in some cases their own confusion.
In fact they all appear to be immersed in that sort of miasma of
bemusement currently reigning supreme in the world of the seventh art. Everything is changing from formats, to shoots, distribution methods and screenings; the contexts in which films are made… Some adopt a solid theoretical approach, while others work from specific social realities. There are also those that like the filmmaking profession but do not see themselves as film buffs. Nevertheless
the striking differences enrich the project since they provide a multifaceted view of the trade and the motivations leading to its adoption, its objectives and the difficulties carrying out projects.
Cinema is not what it used to be, so it cannot be tackled in the same way. The questions asked throughout the book are always therefore adapted to the interviewees,
without recourse to identical formats at any time.
The main intention was always to record a range of different voices. And if this has been achieved, it is thanks to the willingness to help and knowledge of
Miguel Albaladejo, Jaume Balagueró, Eduard Cortés, Patricia Ferreira, Javier Fesser, Juan Carlos Fresnadillo, Salvador García Ruiz, Cesc Gay, Ángeles González-Sinde, Isaki Lacuesta, Achero Mañas, Manuel Martín Cuenca, Marc Recha, Alberto Rodríguez and Benito Zambrano. Theirs are the voices to be heard during the reading of the book, and our job is to listen. And just maybe you will then continue with the dialog we have set down here.
HILARIO J. RODRÍGUEZ, author of 'Contemporary Voices'
