Fernando Fernán-Gómez (1921-2007) exemplifies a tradition of cinema, theatre and television that has a dialogue with realism, with farce and with a certain quixotic idea of Spanish culture. Actor, filmmaker, journalist, playwright, novelist and scriptwriter -for which he was recognized as a member of the Royal Academy of the Spanish Language- he is one of the most exceptional artists of our recent time.
The modern Spanish acting tradition has a long history that begins on the stage of the sainete (farce), of the bourgeois theatre: with the stage comedy in its broadest sense. Professionals in this medium joined the cinema with all their know-how, especially after the arrival of sound.
From his early work and, of course, throughout his extensive career, Fernando Fernán-Gómez, a son and grandson of actors, is undoubtedly one of the leading interpreters within the classification of the so-called "Spanish classical cinema" and his open attitude towards film production makes him representative of popular cinema, but also of several generations of auteur cinema.
On the other hand, his eagerness to direct makes him a very special filmmaker, whose career has been recognised for a long time after. The different films that he managed to bring to fruition are, today, classics in their way. Thus Fernán-Gómez is widely known and valued as an actor and, also, labelled as unique and somehow cursed as a director.
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During months when we are celebrating the centenary of a generation of Spanish filmmakers who defined the cinema that we now consider classic -such as Luis G. Berlanga or Juan Antonio Bardem- the actor, director and writer Fernando Fernán-Gómez occupies a place of honour. And for that reason, and as a tribute, during January 2022, we dedicate four slots to him on the Vimeo channel of the Instituto Cervantes in which two films directed by him will be presented: his debut film Manicomio (Asylum) and Strange Journey -one of the masterpieces of Spanish cinema-; FFG. A portrait -a short that the critic and filmmaker Jesús García de Dueñas dedicated to him-; and Butterfly's Tongue, in which we can enjoy one of his most memorable performances.
