Hey all
I have a great opportunity to teach a course to High school seniors and would love sugestions on the music, lit and video that will turn them on to Spain. I was thinking of La oreja de van gogh, Ella baila sola, Manu chau, for example. I hope to use some Almodovar and perhaps one other film and I was hoping to do some good short stories. ANY SUGGESTIONS for fairly contemporary short stories young people would enjoy? I will do some Garc�a Lorca poetry and use Serrat's music. I was hoping to get something that high school kids would LOVE. I want them to LOVE SPANISH CULTURE when the 15 week course finishes. I appreciate all and any ideas. Mil gracias

Hello!

Last fall, I showed a film called Butterfly or Mariposa to my students and while I wouldn�t do it again for the younger students, the juniors and seniors really enjoyed it. It is a story about a young boy who has a special relationship with his teacher around the time of the civil war. It�s a sweet film, yet also very historical and quite powerful at the end (I had to turn away during all five classes at the last scene so I wouldn�t cry)

I don�t remember who directed the film, but it came out about a yr. ago and can be found in the foreign language section (it�s subtitled) of most video stores. Be warned that I did have to fast forward through one rather racy scene with the young boy watching sex for the first time!

Ok marcela, show them "Bienvenido Mr. Marshall (see the thread HERE) accompanied by a nice "tortilla Espa�ola" & some sangria, I did that when I was teaching high school in the U.S. Guess I should have left the booze out of the sangria, maybe I would still have that job ( )

Seriously though, it is a classic great film of all time!!! Then after Binvenido Mr. Marshall, put on "Mujeres al Borde de un Ataque de Nervios" by Almod�var and have them make "Gazpacho" (without the qualudes of course, see the movie to understand that one )

Yikes, don't take it personally but I vomited on my keyboard when I read "La Oreja de Van Gog" above Then again, that group name makes a lot of sense since it make one want to lop off their "orejas" (ears) when their music is playing

Saludos & have fun with them, I find that the food thing gets their attention, let them cook away!
jer...

Hey, since they are se�iors you may get away with showing them an AMAZING film called "Belle Epoque", 1992 by Fernando Trueba.

Not to be missed!!!

Then again, it has been over 6 years since I was last in front of a high school class and I do not know how much school "politics" have changed. Screen the movie first if you have not seen it.

Saludos,
jer...

Hey.

I liked a lot a funny film called "Airbag", and maybe, if they have seen "Vanilla Sky" you can show them "Abre los ojos" because Vanilla Sky is the American version of Abre los ojos. In this case you'll be able to see the differences between the american way of making films and the spanish way.

How about "Ay, Carmela" and "Jam�n, jam�n"? I did not show either of these, but they're both worth a look.

Hey all
All good ideas...all of the movies mentioned I am familiarl with and will be using some of them...especially "La lengua de la Mariposa"..(.which I couldn't stop crying over either).
Now, who has ideas about MUSIC? I want current and hip music...things that high schoolers would like. The food is will be doing for sure ( i like your idea Jer about doing the gazpacho when we see" Mujeres>..."
I will make tortilla for sure and lots of goodies.
Thanks for the suggestions so far...now think of MUSIC
Un abrazo, Marcela

Jer, did you know that "Bienvenido Mr. Marshall" was blacklisted in the U.S. the first time it was tried to be shown there?
Reading all your recommendations I would think most Spanish films are not very politically correct (in fact, I know they're not!).
With regards to the music, you may make your students listen to the "Operaci�n Triunfo" singers (Spanish version of "American Idol" - I've been said this TV program was invented in Spain),... but then they may hate Spain for all their lifes long. Anyway, "Operaci�n Triunfo" singers are now at the top of the charts. Summer is not a good season to look at the charts for music: most singers are bad or come from Latin America (or both or these things), so you won't find good music for your students.
Some little bit old fashioned music (maybe a couple of years old!): Jarabe de Palo, Juan Perro, La Uni�n, Mal�, Miranda Warning, Caf� Quijano, Amaral, Obk. Of course, better music (and worse music) can be found, but at least I think lyrics from all these singers and bands can be easily understood by foreigners. If you have any questions about this music, just ask. I'm not a music expert, but I think I would be able to give you a reply :-). And if you find any problems getting it, let me know, and we may find any way to sort it out ;-).

The "Operaci�n Triunfo" is a great idea. Specifically, David Bisbal, David "Bustamente" (sp?) and Rosa are big here right now. The other hit of the summer is Las Ketchup (3 sisters) with their bizarre, nonsense song and funny hand-jive dance that I can�t escape from when waiting daily for the metro with a bunch of teenagers. Perhaps you could find a video?

Hey, I�m not saying I�m a fan of this pop music, but it is quite upbeat and there is just no avoiding it on the radio, tv or in clothing stores these days! I�m a bit embarrassed to say I know some of these songs...

Max and Rachel--thanks for the ideas!
I went to Amazon.com and half.com and I see there are some of these bands available...what kind of music do these bands play, Max? I was able to find Mal�, Jarabe de Palo, and Miranda Warning but I don't know if I should invest in the CDs ...you say they ahave understandable lyrics...that is a GREAT point. So, My question is...if you were to choose 2 what would they be? and any specific album names that are better than others?
Rachel, I will try to find Operaci�n Triunfo video...but I can't imagine it is available here in NY. I will try though. Is there anybody who can tape it for me in Madrid and mail it over or bring it home with them after the summer? My school does have a double formatted VCR so the system doesn't matter.
Now does anyone have any good short story ideas?

Max, I know it is not your personal taste (hope not) that tempted you to recommend "Operaci�n Barfbag!" so I will not ban you from this board (not just yet anyway) .

Saludos,
jer...

Marcela,

For young "danceable" flamenco (I think they might really like it!) try Ni�a Pastori or the band Ketama.

A Dutch friend of mine was able to rent the movie Los Amantes del C�rculo Polar, maybe (I'm just guessing here) you can find that movie in the States too, and it's a recent, good one.

Marcela,

definitely Manu Chao. Most of my friends love 'Clandestino' and 'Mentira' (1998).
His English language shit is a little challenged, though. But then again his English is better than my Spanish. Or French. Or Arabic. So I'll shut up now. Have fun.

I am listening to a Chenoa CD as I write this! A frined who just got here from Spain brought me a CD and also copied some Operaci�n Triunfo CDs...so I feel like I am in Spain (just kidding! I need the smell of Ducados...and some leche merengada at the Plaza Mayor!) but, really...I think these CDs will be a welcome addition to my class. Thanks for the suggestions.

Marcela,

Rosario's last CD "Flores" is nice...as is "Lovers of the Artic circle" for a movie; good suggestion!

Julio Medem's movies (which "Lovers" is) are psychological intense treks into his psychologist-writer mind. He is the most thrilling Spanish young director, and "Lovers" is his best! I would be a bit careful with the others for HS students...his last just opened in New York and is reviewed in the July 29th issue of TIME magazine.

Saludos,