Can anyone recommend a Spanish tv series or film please?

[BlackAmericanoNoSugar]

I think I might learn Spanish this summer. I'm bored, I have a Spanish au pair, it might work. I usually find that it helps to watch an hour or so of tv a day in the language that I'm learning, it gets my ear accustomed to the sounds and it's useful for expanding my vocabulary. I had a quick look on Walter Presents on the C4 website, but the only Spanish series is based in a women's prison and doesn't really appeal to me.

I would quite like a thriller, sci fi or something a bit silly and romantic please. Not too tragic, grim or gory please.

there was a period drama on a few months back possibly something like "Grand Hotel" - there was lots of talking going on so would be good for picking up a bit of Spanish! (not sure if still available on catch up)

Sorry I don't have any recommendations of particular programmes but there are loads on RTVE a la carta It's like a Spanish equivalent of iplayer. Not sure how to link but you should be able to find it via Google. There's also an app you can download.

That sounds a bit better. It might be on Netflix, I'll check it out.

I'll check out RTVE too, I might find a soap that I like. When I lived in Germany I found soaps quite good for day-to-day language as they were always meeting and greeting each other, going into shops and cafes and that sort of thing.

dvd.netflix.com/Movie/Instructions-Not-Included/70284281

funny (twist at the end)

Instructions Not Included

mexican spanish

www.onnetflix.co.uk/instructions-not-included/10281 yes it is emotional..

The Orphanage is one of the scariest films I've ever seen. If you like jump out of your skin scary (it's not at all gory) then give it a try. It is a bit tragic, very scary. It's directed by Guillermo del Torro.

All About My Mother,Women on the Edge of a Nervous Breakdown - in fact, there are several by Pedro Amodovar. There's one with Penelope Cruz and Xavier wotsit which I can't remember the name of.

Sorry that one's a Woody Allen film .
Penelope Cruz has made loads of Spanish films though, you could maybe google her.

I'd suggest any of Guillermo Del Toro's Spanish films; Cronos, The Devil's Backbone and Pan's Labyrinth.

He's also been a producer on a couple of good Spanish horror films; The Orphanage and Julia's Eyes.

Locked up. You can watch it on channel 4 on demand. Spanish women's prison drama and absolutely brilliant.

Yes to pans Labyrinth, the orphanage, Julia's eyes, all amazing films

I second Locked Up finished it Saturday night. Was bloody ace.

I'd recommend Locked Up as well. Amazing series, can't wait for series 2 later this year

I loved Grand Hotel. It was a Spanish version of Downton Abbey with a mystery.
I don't know if Velvet is available on Netflix UK, but really loved it. Pure fluff and great clothes. Here is the trailer, but without subtitles.

And Velvet stars this guy.
www.imdb.com/name/nm1775614/

I know you've said it doesn't appeal, but Locked Up was bloody brilliant. The best series I have ever seen.

It's driving me mad that I can't watch series 2

Tesis (thesis). Alejandro Amenabar's debut film. A edge of the seat thriller but it might be too dark for your taste from what you say.

I'm going to add locked up to my list !!

Hable con ella. Another Almodovar recommendation, bitter sweet but really stayed with me.

Oops. Missed the bit in the OP where she said locked up doesn't appeal. However glad the there are others that agree that it is brilliant.

Yay, Velvet is on Netflix. It sounds fab. I don't know what it is about prison dramas, but I just can't take to them. I think they're too claustrophobic or something. The last prison drama that I watched the whole way through was Porridge.

Incidently, as I'm fairly new to Netflix, is there a way to search by original language?

Policías, en el corazón de la calle is a police drama from about year 2000 we watched it obsessively - it's available on a DVD box set.

Your Spanish aupair would be appalled though - I don't know any Spanish people who liked it! I'm definitely going to watch Locked Up - what a weird but great thread OP!