These are the five movies you 'must see' as this year's Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival moves online

ESCAPE from the latest raft of Covid restrictions with a trip to the Mediterranean from the safety of your own home courtesy of the Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival 2020.

Out In The Open

Some 16 movies, 11 short films, and a series of lockdown monologues bring the best of Spanish cinema to the Capital next month and Festival Director Marian A Aréchaga has picked five films that you really shouldn't miss.

Under the banner ESFF@Home, the seventh Edinburgh Spanish Film Festival is the first to take place online, making it accessible to more people than ever before. Aréchaga explains, "It has been big challenge for us to adapt - the physical cinema experience will be greatly missed this year - but I am thrilled to share our vibrant and varied programme, with something for all ages and tastes.

"The main objective of the festival is to support Spanish cinema and use cinema as a vehicle to promote the Spanish language and culture beyond our borders. I am grateful to the institutions that have helped us to create a platform where Spanish and British audience can enjoy the pleasure of cinema."

The Weasels

The festival, which will run from 6-25 October, includes a selection of films directed by women, documentaries covering everything from literature to gastronomy and more, films by new new directors and Chatting Heads, a series of monologues created by Nuria Benet during the COVID-19 lockdown.

"ESFF began in 2014, seven years later, it has expanded across Edinburgh becoming a key part of the autumn cultural scene and one of the most important and powerful platforms for promoting Hispanic culture and language in Edinburgh," says Aréchaga.

She adds, "We are excited to introduce ESFF@HOME, where we give our audiences the chance to watch some of the best recent Spanish and Latin American films and participate in panel discussions and Q&A's with directors."

Of those films, Aréchaga has selected three comedies and two thrillers to recommend as not to be missed. They are the comedy El Plan, a funny depiction of male friendship in which three unemployed friends arrange to meet to carry out a prefect plan. Although an unexpected setback stops them from leaving the house. The friends find themselves facing uncomfortable conversations and truths that will shape their friendship forever. A funny depiction of male friendship.

The Plan

Thriller Out in the Open, meanwhile, is a chilling but gripping tale with stunning cinematography, she says; a boy escapes from home to embark on a treacherous journey which he must make in order to leave behind what made him flee. His steps are crossed with those of an old shepherd, from that moment, nothing will be the same for either of them. A chilling but gripping story with stunning cinematography.

The Weasels' Tale, described as "a classic 'Ealing' comedy full of twists and turns is the story of a group of four old friends; a film director, a film writer, an actress and her husband share a big country mansion. Their coexistence is menaced by a young couple who to help them out financially suggest that they sell the property.

For crime fans, the thriller Spider focuses on three friends who are part of an opposition group in the chaotic Chile of the early Seventies. Together, they commit a political crime that changes the country's history and incidentally involves them in a betrayal that will separate them forever. A riveting story that will keep you on the edge of your sofa.

Finally, there are more laughs to be had in The Invisible - Every Thursday morning, Elsa, Julia and Amelia meet up to go for a walk before work. It is a time for them to catch up and talk about their worries. Despite their differences and disagreements, there is something that bonds them: their age and the burden they feel knowing they are halfway through their lives. A story of true female friendship and the joy and challenges that it can present.

The Invisibles

A range of Festival Passes are available from www.edinburghspanishfilmfestival.com/en/ and cost £40 (all films), £20 (five tickets), £5 (one ticket), audience members will have access to each film for either 24 or 48 hours, see full details in programme listings

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