Marta Velasco

Marta Velasco’s been around the block when it comes to Spanish cinema, no joke. Her name’s tied to some seriously memorable films—La Piel Que Habito (The Skin I Live In), Julieta, and, more recently, Jokes & Cigarettes. Each one screams a different vibe, but there’s this weird thread of intensity and raw emotion running through all of them. In La Piel Que Habito, you get this twisted tale of obsession and identity that’ll make you question everything you thought you knew about revenge flicks. It’s all shadowy corridors, secrets, and characters you’re not sure if you should hate or pity. Then there’s Julieta, way more restrained but still packs a punch. It’s about love, guilt, and losing touch with the people who matter most—classic Almodóvar heartbreak, if you’re into that kind of thing. It feels personal, like reading someone’s diary and realizing you’ve felt that ache too. Jokes & Cigarettes takes a sharp left turn, shifting into comedy but with that bittersweet aftertaste—kind of like laughing at a funeral because it’s the only way to cope. Velasco’s touch is everywhere, from the way the stories twist in on themselves to how the characters fumble through their own messes. She’s not afraid to let things get ugly or awkward, and honestly, that’s what makes her stuff stick. If you’re after glossy, feel-good nonsense, look elsewhere. But if you want cinema that cuts deep and lingers, Marta Velasco’s filmography is a rabbit hole worth diving into.