racechange: El Embrujo de Shanghai

El Embrujo de Shanghai

In post-War Franco’s Spain, a fourteen year-old boy discovers his first love at the point of his pencil, whilst drawing the portrait of a sickly but coquettish fifteen year-old girl. In the neighbourhood, an old freedom-fighter pits himself against bad types; Anita (Ariadna Gil), a pretty cinema-ticket girl, takes to the streets at night; and a young anarchist dedicates himself to telling tall stories.

In a black & white movie set in far away Shanghai, a hero of the Republic meets Chen (Ariadna Gil), a beautiful femme fatale with oriental eyes.

Reality and fiction become fused in an embrace.

The makeup

Gregorio Ros (makeup artist) and Pepito Juez (hair stylist) won the Premios Goya for Best Makeup; the movie also won for Best Production Design and Best Costume.