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FILM

Adios Chus: Almodóvar’s favourite muse dies aged 85

The actress, known for her sharp comic timing and her long working relationships with some of Spain’s best film directors, has died aged 85.

Published: 5 April 2016 11:26 CEST
Adios Chus: Almodóvar's favourite muse dies aged 85
Chus Lampreave was one of Spain's most loved actresses. Photo: Rafa Rivas/AFP

Chus Lampreave was Pedro Almodóvar’s most enduring muse, appearing in eight of the Oscar-winning director’s films.

Almodóvar's most iconic leading ladies 

Lampreave, born María Jesús Lampreave Pérez in 1930, died on Monday morning in Torrecárdenas hospital in Almería, where her son lived.

She was one of Spain’s most recognizable character actresses, known for her impeccable comic timing and supporting roles, especially in the films of Spanish film director Pedro Almodóvar, who wrote a tribute to her in Spanish daily El País on Tuesday.

“I was fascinated by Chus even before I was a director,” Almodóvar wrote of Lampreave, who often played eccentric mothers, grandmothers or aunties. “From the moment we met I felt like we came from the same family.

“Chus made me feel like I was capable of anything,” wrote the director.

“She was the actress who could best play roles inspired by my mother. She belonged to the lineage of of great supporting actors, those without whom Spanish cinema would not exist.”

Chus featured in eight of Almodóvar´s films, the first, Dark Habits in 1984 followed by seven more including Volver in 2006 and her most recent, Broken Embraces in 2009.

Her first film role was in 1958 and career highs include winning the Best Actress award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival along with her female castmates in Almodóvar´s film, Volver. 

Her expressive face often sported a pair of huge glasses and she often displayed an impressive knack for comedy roles.

She was also known for her links to Spanish director Fernando Trueba – she won a Goya award (Spain’s version of the Oscar) for her role in Trueba’s Oscar-winning 1992 film Belle Époque. 

Fans of the actress took to social media to offer their condolences. 

Spanish actor Antonio Banderas tweeted: “Exceptional, unique, marvellous. Spanish cinema will miss your brilliance. Bon voyage Chus!” 

Rossy de Palma, who starred alongside Chus in several of Almodóvar´s films, wrote on Instagram: “My lovely Chus, friend, sister, you were always an angel. I love you.” 

 

 

Spanish actress Maria Valverde tweeted that Lampreave was the face of Spanish cinema: 

 

 

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FILM

French films with English subtitles to watch in November

As days get shorter and temperatures drop, November is a great month to enjoy a warm and comforting moment at the cinema. Here’s a round up of the French movies with English subtitles to see in Paris this month.

Published: 4 November 2021 11:13 CET
Cinema in France
Photo: Loic Venance/AFP

The cinema group Lost in Frenchlation runs regular screenings of French films in the capital, with English subtitles to help non-native speakers follow the action. The club kicks off every screening with drinks at the cinema’s bar one hour before the movie, so it’s also a fun way to meet people if you’re new to Paris.

These are the events they have coming up in November.

Friday, November 5th

Boîte Noire – What happened on board the Dubai-Paris flight before it crashed in the Alps? In this thriller Matthieu, a young and talented black box analyst played by Pierre Niney (star of Yves Saint-Laurent among other movies) is determined to solve the reason behind this deadly crash, no matter the costs. 

The screening will take place at the Club de l’étoile cinema at 8pm. But you can arrive early for drinks at the bar from 7pm. 

Tickets are €10 full price, €8 for students and all other concessions, and can be reserved here.

Sunday, November 14th

Tralala – In the mood for music? This new delightful French musical brings you into the life of Tralala (played by Mathieu Amalric), a 48 years old, homeless and worn-out street singer, who one day gets mistaken for someone else. Tralala sees an opportunity to get a better life by taking on a new personality. He now has a brother, nephews, ex-girlfriends, and maybe even a daughter. But where is the lie? Where is the truth? And who is he, deep down?

The night will start with drinks from 6pm followed by the screening at 7pm at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema. There is also a two-hour cinema-themed walk where you’ll be taken on a “musicals movie tour” in the heart of Paris, which begins at 4pm.

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. Tickets for the walking tour cost €20 and must be reserved online here.

Thursday, November 18th

Illusions Perdues – Based on the great novel series by Honoré de Balzac between 1837 and 1843, this historical drama captures the writer Lucien’s life and dilemmas who dreams about a great career of writing and moves to the city to get a job at a newspaper. As a young poet entering the field of journalism, he is constantly challenged by his desire to write dramatic and eye-catching stories for the press. But are they all true?

The evening will kick off with drinks at L’Entrepôt cinema bar at 7pm, followed by the movie screening at 8pm. Tickets are available online here, and cost €8.50 full price; €7 for students and all other concessions.

Sunday, November 21st

Eiffel – Having just finished working on the Statue of Liberty, Gustave Eiffel (played by Romain Duris) is tasked with creating a spectacular monument for the 1889 Universal Exposition in Paris. It’s ultimately his love story with Adrienne Bourgès (Emma Mackey) that will inspire him to come up with the idea for the Eiffel Tower.

After a first screening last month, Lost in Frenchlation is organising a new one at the Luminor Hôtel de Ville cinema, with pre-screening drinks at the cinema bar. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here. 

Thursday, November 25th

Les Héroïques – Michel is a former junkie and overgrown child who only dreams of motorbikes and of hanging out with his 17-year-old son Léo and his friends. But at 50 years old, he now has to handle the baby he just had with his ex, and try not to make the same mistakes he has done in the past. 

The film will be followed by a Q&A with the director Maxime Roy who will discuss his very first feature. 

Tickets cost €10, or €8 for students and concessions, and can be found here.

Full details of Lost in Frenchlation’s events can be found on their website or Facebook page. In France, a health pass is required in order to go to the cinema.

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