Alejandro Amenábar

Alejandro Amenábar's Life

1972 saw the birth of one of Spain's most notable talented directors. Alejandro Amenábar grew up in Spain after having fled the corruption-wracked Chile as a young boy along with his family. He quickly acknowledged his unquenchable thirst for a life dedicated to film-making, and as a teenager was already directing short films.

In 1991 he released his first short film entitled La Cabeza, which immediately brought Alejandro Amenábar out of anonymity by earning him a prize from the Amateur Independent Filmmakers Association. He immediately followed his first success up with an equally if not better showing with Himenóptero in 1992, which garnered best short film awards at various film festivals. Tésis, Alejandro Amenábar's first full-length feature film, hit screens when he was only 22 years old and secured the young director's reputation as one of Spain's greatest cinematic promises.

To this day, the multi-talented Amenábar tirelessly works as director, screenwriter, and musical composer of his films, sometimes also lending an able hand as cameraman and editor.

Alejandro Amenábar's Trademarks

Alejandro Amenábar has said that his movies are not movies of answers but of questions. His collection of films feature intelligent, intricate and twisting plots that tackle a variety of highly original subjects in highly original ways. Pulling his influences from classic terror movies and effortlessly integrating other genres such as science fiction and the demented "snuff-movies," the majority of Alejandro Amenábar's films are flawless, tension-filled psychological thrillers.

Always questioning and exploring new terrain, Alejandro Amenábar takes a break from the thriller genre to delve into the ever-controversial subjects of death with dignity and euthanasia in the emotional and heart-breaking film Mar Adentro

Alejandro Amenábar's Films

While Alejandro Amenábar's film career has no indication of slowing down any time soon, he has already garnered a lifetime supply of awards. Not only have his films impressed and inspired audiences around the world, but they've also earned the young director Oscars, Goya Awards, European Film Awards, Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and much more. Amenábar's masterpieces include:

• Himenóptero
  
• La Cabeza
  
• Tésis
  
• Abre los ojos
  
• Los Otros (The Others)
  
• Mar adentro