Calle Bardem

Shortly after his death, friends, colleagues, and an historian speak about Juan Antonio Bardem (1922-2002). Sixteen talking heads describe his personality, working style, his studies and his becoming a director, early success and later difficulties finding work, and his work with film trade unions in the Franco era. They discuss his Communist Party membership and his ideological and didactic approach to filmmaking. He is described as charming, brusque, difficult to work with, demanding, and courtly. His importance as a director and his seminal contribution to New Spanish Cinema are givens for the participants in these monologues.