Amenábar does better than Almodóvar

Almodóvar, Amenábar: des of the two Spanish directors on the Croisette, it's the lesser known that has more success.

Especially well represented this year at Cannes, Spanish cinema may profit from a boost, thanks to the world's largest film festival.

While all eyes were on Pedro Almodóvar, it is Alejandro Amenábar and his movie «Agora» that has won over most festival goers, thanks to the lesser submission of his illustrious colleague. Almodóvar's «Broken Embraces» seems nothing more than a warmed-up portion of his usual dish.

Amenábar already wowed festival audiences in 1996 with his excellent «Tesis». This year's submission, «Agora», is an ambitious project set in ancient Egypt during the Roman occupation, which includes parallels to the present.

While «Broken Embraces» is due out in theatres today, «Agora» won't be shown in Switzerland until the end of the year.