Pere Portabella (b. 1927) is a key figure in modern cinema and contemporary art. He began producing landmark films by Carlos Saura, Marco Ferreri and Luis Buñuel. He debuted as a director in 1967, developing an experimental body of work linked to the avant-garde. A collaborator of artists such as Joan Miró, his career combines cinema, political engagement and international recognition.
Carles Santos performs some of his pieces on the piano. Film made for the exhibition about Carles Santos Visca el Piano!, held at the Fundació Miró in Barcelona during the summer of 2006.
This short film is part of the session Acció Portabella (no al no).
This film, commissioned by the College of Architects of Catalonia for Joan Miró’s retrospective exhibition in 1969, sparked strong controversy over whether it was appropriate to screen it during the exhibition. Portabella’s position was: “either both planned films are screened or none,” and ultimately both Miró l’altre and Aidez l’Espagne were shown. The film was made by combining archival footage from the Spanish Civil War with Miró’s prints from the Barcelona series (1939–1944). The film ends with the artist’s pochoir titled Aidez l’Espagne.
This short film is part of the session Acció Portabella (no al no).
The film is part of the feature-length Hay Motivo, made up of 32 short films directed by Spanish filmmakers and actors opposing the policies of the Popular Party just before the 2004 elections. In Portabella’s contribution, physics professor Pedro Arrojo addresses the urgent need for a new water culture.
