Pan’s Labyrinth is probably one of the best films of 2006 in any language or genre. Directed by virtuoso Guillermo del Toro, Pan’s Labyrinth is a fairy tale taking place amidst the dreary backdrop of the Spanish Civil War. This is the way fairy tales were meant to be told. Vivid, terrifying, and sometimes gruesome, del Toro brings to life some of the more memorable characters in recent film history, including the well-conceived pale man character. The dvd extras include a fascinating look at the history of the relationship between fairy tales and film and gives an up-close look at much of the symbolism of the film. This is definitely a movie you won’t be able to fully absorb in just one or two viewings, which lends itself well to this learning approach.

Volver is a recent work of one of my favorite Spanish directors, Pedro Almodóvar (of Hable con Ella and La Mala Educación fame). The premise is as interesting as it is hilarious: Penelope Cruz’s character’s husband has been murdered, but tells everybody he skipped town in order to protect her daughter while trying to hide the body. It seems like every character has their own secret, and there’s even a ghost story thrown in for good measure. The dialect is contemporary Castilian Spanish, which means the actors speak with clear, elegant accents that should be easier for beginners to understand than some of their Latin American counterparts. I’d recommend this one even if you aren’t trying to learn Spanish.

I must start by saying Y Tu Mama También is most definitely for adult audiences only. It’s a road trip coming-of-age story of two young boys who fall for the same older woman, played by Spanish actress Maribel Verdú. The premise is admittedly somewhat played out on the surface and for a while the film seems to follow the same predictable pattern but I guarantee you won’t see the twist at the end coming. Not a chance. The film is lighthearted and funny enough to make it good for repeat viewings but has enough heart to satisfy even the harshest critic on a deeper level. One of the better Spanish films I’ve ever seen, definitely.

Other excellent Spanish films you might be interested in are The Motorcycle Diaries and Amores Perros.