The only one I can think of off the top of my head that would be suitable for a high school class is Pan’s Labyrinth (El laberinto del fauno) – fast forward through the nose breaking part. My experience with Spanish films, is that they are very open to sexual scenes and I imagine it is not as censored or as big a deal in Spanish speaking countries as it is in the United States. Oh, Volver- that should be fine as well.. Other Almodvar films though tend to be pretty sexual.
back in high school, I remember for Spanish year 3 students, El Norte was like mandatory viewing.
How about SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE?
I don’t remember anything too out of the high school range in that one.
I’d say LIKE WATER FOR CHOCOLATE, but it has necessary nudity.
You might consider Victor Erice’s THE SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE. I don’t know what your teacher considers “adult material.” It is an adult world certainly, but seen through the eyes of two wonderful children. I can’t recall that there is sex or nudity &tc. And it is one of the finest and most beautifully made films we have.
All of the spanish language films I can think of have extremely “adult” material. Still, you might be able to find a few good ones that will pass through the censors.
How about “Abre Los Ojos?” The film that hollywood remade as “Vanilla Sky.” You would have to check the rating as I haven’t seen it in years. This might also be a good excuse to pick up “El Norte.” I haven’t seen it yet, but it sounds like it deals with themes that would be engaging and appropriate for a thoughtful high school class.
I personally adore “All About My Mother” and it is relatively tame compared to some Almodovar, but might still lad you in hot water.
The Spirit of the Beehive is the only one I was able to think of. Damn I should have taken French.
I would ask her about The Motorcycle Diaries. It’s a great biopic of Che and simply a great film overall. It is R and there are a couple f-bombs, but obviously they’re in subtitles. As far as sexual situations, there’s one kissing scene, but no nudity at all. You should also check out The Sea Inside, with Javier Bardem. It’s only PG-13, but I honestly forget if there’s any sex scenes or not. At the very least, though, even if you don’t bring it in, it’s excellent. Actually won best foreign film in 2004
Another suggestion: Carlos Saura’s dance and music films, but especially FLAMENCO, a fully realized work of art. Don’t know if there is enough spoken word in this for your purposes, but the class will learn a lot: about music, about Andalusia, about gypsies, Jews, and Catholics in 19th century Spain, about dance, and all of it beautifully photographed by Vittorio (Last Tango in Paris) Storaro. And this is not to mention the quietness of the guitars and the clapping hands (the drums of flamenco) which will sometimes become merely hands rubbed together, so quiet one must bend very close to feel the beat.
Y tu mamá también?
The Spirit of the Beehive, absolutely.
El Norte :D
Death of a Cyclist. I don’t think there are sex scenes in it. A little death, but that never hurt anyone.
The Spirit of the Beehive is definitely a good idea.. May be a little boring for the kids but whether they appreciate it or not its good! Steer away from Y Tu Mama Tambien, lots of sex, partial nudity, and plenty of sexual references
yeah i was kidding about Y tu mama
I’m with all the Spirit of the Beehive fans; after all, why not give em the best?
Bad Education. :-P
There’s always El Mariachi, it’s fun……
My 7th grade Spanish teacher showed us El Norte. Spirit of the Beehive is light on dialogue so it might be easier to follow ( at least language wise). Santitos is another great film that I think is age appropriate. If nothing else, try some old Cantinflas movies.
Ahhhh so I convinced my teacher to let us watch The Spirit of the Beehive after state testing on Monday, but my mom forgot to send in my netlfix envelope so I won’t have it in time. Now I have to decide whether I buy the film for $40 which causes me not to be able to get any of the awesome June Criterion releases. I just have an opportunity to expose people my age to a great film and I don’t want to miss it. What should I do?
Definitely Y tu mama tambien. People are just joking about the sex and stuff. Highschoolers will love it to bits.
I would love to bring in that movie or any number of great Spanish films, but I feel like I am protecting my teacher more than the students. I will put it this way: she teaches us with a puppet named Fernando. I’m in high school.
I love the puppet thing. Haha.
What about some tamer Almodovar, like Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown? Other than the dream orgasm, I can’t think of anything overtly sexual in it, it’s a fantastic film and when I learned Spanish I found it to be quite manageable. I went on a filmmaking course last year and two students said that they’d been persuaded to get into cinema by this film, so if you’re looking to introduce your class to something then it works as a nice bridge between mainstream and ‘world’ cinema.
My University Spanish teacher brought us Los Amantes del Circulo Polar (Lovers of the Arctic Circle or something, I don’t know the exact English title) by Julio Medem which, despite the title, steers clear of the graphic sex of his Sex and Lucía but I don’t remember it being completely inspiring so the only novelty is it being in Spanish.
I’ve also just realised that you have passed the dilemma/run out of time, but feel I had to contribute something in return for the laugh I got at Fernando’s expense.
“I will put it this way: she teaches us with a puppet named Fernando. I’m in high school.”
I think it’s something they teach language teachers to do. My high school French teacher used to bring out a puppet called Claude who would she would punch in the face and have call out for help to demonstrate what to do in an emergency. She was a super conservative prude, but ended up showing us Amelie at the end of our final year. Nowhere near as explicit as Y tu mama, but it was a huge step for her.
Seriously though, I’d recommend Spirit of the Beehive. It might ignite a passion for cinema in some of the students, and that’s always a plus.
Edit: Didn’t see the post you made about convincing her to see it before I made this post. I mean, it’s your money, but it’s a wonderful thing to do if you end up buying it. Great, great film. June’s Criterions will still be there.
Ya Grey you are right. I think I will go out an buy it today. I mean it is a great film along with the fact I want to show it to my class.
Volver. A very good film and the dialogue is easy enough to grasp without closely reading all of the subtitles.
My Spanish teacher loved The Spirit of the Beehive! This means I get to expose half of my grade (the other half have a different teacher) to this wonderful film!
If you like The Spirit of the Beehive, check out Cria Cuervos. It’s a very different film, obviously, but a wonderful film. In addition to Ana Torrent, Geraldine Chaplin is amazing. It’s one of the more thoughtful films I’ve seen in a long time.
But beware, that song will get stuck in your head.
duplicate.
duplicate.
Drew.
My Spanish teacher is really clueless and I asked her if I brought in a movie in Spanish if we could watch it. She said yes but I would have to write what its about and make sure it didn’t have adult material. The shorter the better but I think Simon of the Desert might be a tad controversial with the religious aspects for school. I would also like it to be a film that highschoolers might have a chance of liking. Any suggestions?