Fernando Fernán-Gómez (1921-2007) exemplifies a tradition of cinema, theatre and television that dialogues with realism, with the sainete and with a certain quixotic idea of Spanish culture. Actor, filmmaker, journalist and theatre, novel and film writer -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 culture.
The modern Spanish acting tradition has a long history that begins in the stage of the sainete, of the bourgeois theatre: in the stage comedy in its broadest sense. Professionals in this medium join 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 consolidation of the so-called "Spanish classical cinema" and his open attitude towards film production makes him present in popular cinema, but also in several generations of auteur cinema.
On the other hand, his eagerness to direct will make him a very peculiar filmmaker, whose career has been recognised a long time later. The different films that he managed to put on his feet are, today, works of worship. Thus Fernán-Gómez is enormously known and valued as an actor and, also, labelled as peculiar and somehow cursed as a director.
In these 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.
