El Gran Gato

Spain, Germany

Synopsis

Paul, a handsome and talented music student is employed as the page-turner at one of the world famous pianist Kennington's concerts in San Francisco. Not only is Paul diligent but also extremely attractive, a fact noticed by Kennington and his agent Mansourian, two men at the top of their chosen careers. Kennington and Paul meet again in Barcelona, where the boy is on holiday with his mother, Pamela, who is trying to get over her husband leaving her. Paul and Kennington fall in love but this has very different implications for both men. Kennington rushes back home escaping from commitment. Pamela, meanwhile, begins to recover her self-confidence but Paul is no longer a child. Back in the United States Paul learns that his musical career is not going to progress as desired; he simply is not talented enough. Paul and Pamela will learn through their living experience how to build a deeper relationship. Food of Love is the story of these two simple characters awakening to the harsh reality of life.

Director's Biography

Having directed in the theatre from the age of 21, Ventura Pons was the surprise newcomer of Spanish cinema in 1978, with Ocana, an intermittent portrait. Now, with fourteen Feature films, twelve produced by his own company Els Films de la Rambla, S.A., founded in 1985, he has become one of the best known Catalan film directors. He has received the National Film Award from the Catalan Government for the direction of EI perque de tot plegat (What it's all about). The ICA (Institute of Contemporary Arts) in London, the Lincoln Center in New York, the Buenos Aires Film Festival, the American Cinematheque in Los Angeles and the Istambul Film Festival have presented retroipectives of his Films. He has been Vice-President of the Spanish Film Academy and recently has been elected to the Board of the Spanish Society od Authors. Has also been awarded the prestigious Ondas Award and the City of Huesca Award.

Filmography:

1978: OCAKNA, RETRAT INTERMITENT
1981: EL VICARI DE OLOT (The vicary of OIot)
1986: LA ROSSA DEL BAR (74 blonde at the bar)
1989: PUTA MISERIA! (Dammed Misery!)
1990: QUE T'HI JUGUES, MARI PILLI? (What’s your bet, Mari Pilli?)
1991: AQUESTA NIT O MAI (Tonight or never)
1993: ROSITA, PLEASE!
1994: EL PERQUE DE TOT PLEGAT (What it's all about)
1996: ACTRIUS (Actresses)
1997: CARICIES (Caresses)
1998: AMIC/AMAT (Beloved/Friend)
1999: MORIR (O NO) (To die (or not))
2000: ANITA NO PERD EL TREN (Anita takes a chance)

 | 

Cast & Crew

Directed by: Ventura Pons

Written by: Ventura Pons

Produced by: Ventura Pons

Cinematography: Mario Montero

Editing: Pere Abadal

Costume Design: Maria Gil

Make-Up & Hair: Maru Errando

Original Score: Carles Cases

Sound Design: Boris Zapata

Cast: Paul Rhys (Richard), Allan Corduner (Joseph), Kevin Bishop (Paul), Leslie Charles (Tushi), Geraldine McEwan (Novotna), Craig Hill (Izzy), Pamela Field (Diane), Naim Thomas (Teddy), Juliet Stevenson (Pamela)

Nominations and Awards

  • Feature Film Selection 2002