Rafael Azcona
Encyclopedia
Rafael Azcona Fernández was an awarded Spanish
screenwriter
and novelist who has worked with some of the best Spanish and international filmmakers. Azcona won five Goya Awards
during his career, including a lifetime achievement award in 1998.
He was born in the northern Spanish city Logroño
on October 24, 1926. Azcona initially began his career writing for humor magazines. He became known as a screenwriter when he penned the screenplay
for the film, El Pisito
(The Little Apartment), which was based on his own novel
. The 1959 film was directed by Italian
film director
, Marco Ferreri.
Azcona teamed up with director Fernando Trueba
in “Belle Époque
,” which won an Academy Award for best foreign film in 1994. He collaborated with other Spanish directors including Luis Berlanga and Carlos Saura
. Azcona was also awarded the Spanish Fine Arts Gold Medal in 1994.
Rafael Azcona died at his home in Madrid, Spain, on March 23, 2008, at the age of 81. He was survived by his wife, Susi.
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
screenwriter
Screenwriter
Screenwriters or scriptwriters or scenario writers are people who write/create the short or feature-length screenplays from which mass media such as films, television programs, Comics or video games are based.-Profession:...
and novelist who has worked with some of the best Spanish and international filmmakers. Azcona won five Goya Awards
Goya Awards
The Goya Awards, known in Spanish as los Premios Goya, are Spain's main national film awards, considered by many in Spain, and internationally, to be the Spanish equivalent of the American Academy Awards....
during his career, including a lifetime achievement award in 1998.
He was born in the northern Spanish city Logroño
Logroño
Logroño is a city in northern Spain, on the Ebro River. It is the capital of the autonomous community of La Rioja, formerly known as La Rioja Province.The population of Logroño in 2008 was 153,736 and a metropolitan population of nearly 197,000 inhabitants...
on October 24, 1926. Azcona initially began his career writing for humor magazines. He became known as a screenwriter when he penned the screenplay
Screenplay
A screenplay or script is a written work that is made especially for a film or television program. Screenplays can be original works or adaptations from existing pieces of writing. In them, the movement, actions, expression, and dialogues of the characters are also narrated...
for the film, El Pisito
El Pisito
El Pisito is a 1959 Spanish comedy film directed by Marco Ferreri. The Spanish Ministry of Culture forced the producers to sign the film as co-directed by Spaniard Isidoro M. Ferry. It was co-written by famous Spanish screenwriter Rafael Azcona, who collaborated with Ferreri throughout his...
(The Little Apartment), which was based on his own novel
Novel
A novel is a book of long narrative in literary prose. The genre has historical roots both in the fields of the medieval and early modern romance and in the tradition of the novella. The latter supplied the present generic term in the late 18th century....
. The 1959 film was directed by Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, Marco Ferreri.
Azcona teamed up with director Fernando Trueba
Fernando Trueba
Fernando Trueba is a Spanish book editor, screenwriter, film director and producer.Between 1974 and 1979 worked as a film critic for Spain's leading daily newspaper EL PAIS. In 1980, founded the monthly film magazine CASABLANCA, which he edited and directed during its first two years...
in “Belle Époque
Belle Epoque (film)
Belle Époque is a 1992 Spanish film directed by Fernando Trueba. The title derives from the period in French history known as the Belle Époque .-Plot:...
,” which won an Academy Award for best foreign film in 1994. He collaborated with other Spanish directors including Luis Berlanga and Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura
Carlos Saura Atarés is a Spanish film director and photographer.-Early life:Born into a family of artists , he developed his artistic sense in childhood as a photography enthusiast.He obtained his directing diploma in Madrid in 1957 at the Institute of Cinema Research and Studies...
. Azcona was also awarded the Spanish Fine Arts Gold Medal in 1994.
Rafael Azcona died at his home in Madrid, Spain, on March 23, 2008, at the age of 81. He was survived by his wife, Susi.
Selected Filmography as Screenwriter
- 19591959 in filmThe year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
: El pisitoEl PisitoEl Pisito is a 1959 Spanish comedy film directed by Marco Ferreri. The Spanish Ministry of Culture forced the producers to sign the film as co-directed by Spaniard Isidoro M. Ferry. It was co-written by famous Spanish screenwriter Rafael Azcona, who collaborated with Ferreri throughout his... - 19591959 in filmThe year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
: Se vende un tranvía - 19601959 in filmThe year 1959 in film involved some significant events, with Ben-Hur winning a record 11 Academy Awards.-Events:* The Three Stooges make their 190th and last short film, Sappy Bull Fighters....
: El cochecitoEl CochecitoEl Cochecito is a 1960 Spanish black comedy film directed by Marco Ferreri.The film is based on Rafael Azcona's novel who co-wrote the script with Ferreri.The film was a huge flop when it was released in Spain, but nowadays is a cult classic... - 19611961 in filmThe year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with West Side Story winning 10 Academy Awards.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:* Atlantis, the Lost ContinentB...
: PlácidoPlácido (film)Plácido is a 1961 Spanish black comedy film directed by Luis García Berlanga. It was nominated to the Academy Award as Best Foreign Language Film. It was also entered into the 1962 Cannes Film Festival... - 19611961 in filmThe year 1961 in film involved some significant events, with West Side Story winning 10 Academy Awards.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:* Atlantis, the Lost ContinentB...
: El Secreto de los hombres azules - 1962 : MafiosoMafioso (1962 film)Mafioso is a 1962 Italian Black comedy film directed by Alberto Lattuada. The film stars Alberto Sordi as a factory manager who visits his hometown in Sicily and is tasked with performing a hit for the mafia...
- 1962 : Les Quatre vérités
- 1963 : La Donna scimmia
- 1963 : The Conjugal Bed (L'Ape regina)
- 1963 : El Verdugo
- 1964 : The Ape WomanThe Ape WomanThe Ape Woman is a 1964 Italian-French drama film directed by Marco Ferreri. It was entered into the 1964 Cannes Film Festival. The movie was inspired by the real-life story of Julia Pastrana a 19th-century woman exploited as a freak show attraction by her manager Theodore Lent.-Plot:The "Ape...
- 1964 : Un Rincón para querernos
- 1964 : Controsesso
- 19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
: L'Uomo dei cinque palloni - 19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
: Oggi, domani, dopodomani - 19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
: Marcia nuzialeMarcia nuzialeMarcia nuziale is a 1965 Italian film directed by Marco Ferreri.-Cast:*Ugo Tognazzi*Shirley Anne Field*Alexandra Stewart*Gaia Germani*Catherine Faillot*Tecla Scarano*Gianni Bonagura*Julia Drago*Tom Felleghy... - 19651965 in filmThe year 1965 in film involved some significant events, with The Sound of Music topping the U.S. box office.-Top grossing films : After theatrical re-issue- Awards :Academy Awards:...
: Una Moglie americanaUna moglie americanaRun for Your Wife is a 1965 Italian comedy film directed by Gian Luigi Polidoro.-Cast:*Ugo Tognazzi ... Riccardo Vanzi*Marina Vlady ... Nicole*Rhonda Fleming ... Nyta*Juliet Prowse ... Jenny*Graziella Granata ... Hostess... - 19661966 in filmThe year 1966 in film involved some significant events.-Events:Animation legend Walter Disney, well known for his creation of Mickey Mouse, died in 15 December 1966 of acute circulatory collapse following a diagnosis of, and surgery for, lung cancer...
: L'Estate - 19671967 in filmThe year 1967 in film involved some significant events. It is widely considered as one of the most ground-breaking years in film.-Events:* December 26 - The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour airs on British television....
: Tuset Street - 1967 : Peppermint FrappéPeppermint FrappéPeppermint Frappé is a 1967 Spanish psychological thriller directed by Carlos Saura, starring Geraldine Chaplin and José Luis López Vázquez. The story centers on a man who becomes obsessed with the wife of an old friend believing her to be a mysterious drummer that he once fell in love with at a...
- 19671967 in filmThe year 1967 in film involved some significant events. It is widely considered as one of the most ground-breaking years in film.-Events:* December 26 - The Beatles Magical Mystery Tour airs on British television....
: Las Pirañas - 19691969 in filmThe year 1969 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* Last year for prize giving at the Venice Film Festival until it is revived in 1980...
: La Madriguera - 19701970 in filmThe year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
: ¡Vivan los novios! - 19701970 in filmThe year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
: Las Secretas intenciones - 19701970 in filmThe year 1970 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, therefore ending his career....
: El Monumento - 1970 : El jardín de las deliciasEl jardín de las deliciasEl jardín de las delicias , also known as The Garden of Delights in English language cinema, is a 1970 Spanish drama film co-written and directed by Carlos Saura....
- 1971 : L'udienzaL'udienzaL'udienza is a 1971 Italian-French drama film directed by Marco Ferreri. It was entered into the 22nd Berlin International Film Festival.-Cast:* Enzo Jannacci - Amedeo* Claudia Cardinale - Aiche* Ugo Tognazzi - Aureliano Diaz...
- 19711971 in filmThe year 1971 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 8 - Bob Dylan's hour long documentary film, Eat the Document, premieres at New York's Academy of Music...
: El Ojo del huracán - 19711971 in filmThe year 1971 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 8 - Bob Dylan's hour long documentary film, Eat the Document, premieres at New York's Academy of Music...
: Un Omicidio perfetto a termine di legge - 19721972 in filmThe year 1972 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Avanti!, directed by Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon and Juliet MillsB...
: La Cera virgen - 19721972 in filmThe year 1972 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Avanti!, directed by Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon and Juliet MillsB...
: Si può fare... amigo - 19721972 in filmThe year 1972 in film involved some significant events.-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:*Avanti!, directed by Billy Wilder, starring Jack Lemmon and Juliet MillsB...
: A Reason to Live, a Reason to DieA Reason to Live, a Reason to DieA Reason to Live, a Reason to Die is a 1972 spaghetti western movie starring James Coburn.Many exterior scenes were filmed at the Fort Bowie set built in the Province of Almería, Spain, where the desert landscape and climate that characterizes part of the province have made it a much utilized... - 19731973 in filmThe year 1973 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*The Marx Brothers' Zeppo Marx divorces his second wife, Barbara Blakely. Blakely would later marry actor/singer Frank Sinatra....
: TarotTarotThe tarot |trionfi]] and later as tarocchi, tarock, and others) is a pack of cards , used from the mid-15th century in various parts of Europe to play a group of card games such as Italian tarocchini and French tarot... - 1973 : Ana y los lobosAna y los lobosAna and the Wolves is a 1972 Spanish drama film directed by Carlos Saura. Starring Geraldine Chaplin as a foreign governess who comes to an isolated house to take care of the children of a convoluted family. The film is encoded with political symbolism of Francisco Francos’ regime. Saura’s...
- 1974 : La Revolución matrimonial
- 19741974 in filmThe year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
: Touche pas à la femme blanche, (Don't Touch The White Woman!) - 19741974 in filmThe year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
: Permettete, signora, che ami vostra figlia - 19741974 in filmThe year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
: La prima AngélicaLa prima AngélicaCousin Angelica is a 1974 Spanish drama film directed by Carlos Saura. Starring José Luis López Vázquez as a middle-aged man whose memories of his childhood during the Spanish Civil War make him reenact his past as the old man he is today... - 19741974 in filmThe year 1974 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*February 7 - Blazing Saddles is released in the USA.*August 7 - Peter Wolf, lead singer of The J...
: Grandeur nature - 19751975 in filmThe year 1975 in film involved some significant events, with Steven Spielberg's thriller Jaws topping the box office.-Events:*March 26 - The film version of The Who's Tommy premieres in London....
: El Poder del deseo - 1975 : Pim, pam, pum... ¡fuego!Pim, pam, pum... ¡fuego!Pim, pam, pum... ¡fuego! is a 1975 Spanish drama film directed by Pedro Olea dealing with the effects of Spanish Civil War in the 1940s in Madrid. The film was one of the first which talked about the maquis. It is also the first Spanish movie to be published in the Dominican Republic...
- 19761976 in filmThe year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
: El Anacoreta - 19761976 in filmThe year 1976 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*March 22 - Filming begins on George Lucas' Star Wars science fiction film...
: La Dernière femmeLa Dernière femmeLa Dernière femme is a 1976 French film directed by Marco Ferreri and starring Gérard Depardieu, Ornella Muti, Michel Piccoli, Zouzou and Nathalie Baye.Depardieu received a César nomination for best actor for his role.- Plot :... - 19771977 in filmThe year 1977 in film involved some significant events.-Events:*In the Academy Awards, Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway and Beatrice Straight win Best Actor and Actress and Supporting Actress awards for Network....
: Mi hija Hildegart - 19781978 in filmThe year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
: Un Hombre llamado Flor de Otoño - 19781978 in filmThe year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
: Ciao maschio - 19781978 in filmThe year 1978 in film involved some significant events.-Events:* February 1 - Bob Dylan's film Renaldo and Clara, a documentary of the "Rolling Thunder Revue" tour premieres in Los Angeles, California....
: La Escopeta nacional - 19791979 in filmThe year 1979 in film involved some significant events.- Major events :* March 5 - Production begins on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.* May 25 - Alien, a landmark of the science fiction genre, is released....
: La Miel - 19791979 in filmThe year 1979 in film involved some significant events.- Major events :* March 5 - Production begins on Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back.* May 25 - Alien, a landmark of the science fiction genre, is released....
: La Familia, bien, gracias - 19811981 in film-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
: Patrimonio nacionalPatrimonio NacionalThe Consejo de Administración del Patrimonio Nacional is a Spanish state agency, under the jurisdiction of the Minister of the Presidency by delegation of the Prime Minister of Spain, that administers the sites owned by the Spanish... - 19811981 in film-Events:*January 19 - Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer acquires beleaguered concurrent United Artists. UA was humiliated by the astronomical losses on the $40,000,000 movie Heaven's Gate, a major factor in the decision of owner Transamerica to sell it....
: 127 millones libres de impuestos - 19821982 in film-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
: Bésame, tonta - 19821982 in film-Events:* March 26 = I Ought to Be in Pictures, starring Walter Matthau, Ann-Margret and Dinah Manoff is released. Manoff would not appear in another movie until 1987's Backfire.* June = PG-rated film E.T...
: Nacional III - 1983 : Don Quijote (tv) (TV)
- 1983 : Los desastres de la guerra (TV)
- 19851985 in film-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
: La vaquillaLa vaquillaLa vaquilla or The Heifer is a 1985 Spanish comedy film written and directed by Luis García Berlanga. It was the first comedy made about the Spanish Civil War.-Plot:... - 19851985 in film-Events:* 3 December - Roger Moore steps down from the role of James Bond after twelve years and seven films. He is replaced by Timothy Dalton.* The Academy Award for Best Picture was won by Out Of Africa, while the highest grossing film was Back to the Future.* Bliss wins AFI Award for best Movie...
: La corte de Faraón - 19861986 in film-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
: Hay que deshacer la casa - 19861986 in film-Events:*April 12 - Actor Morgan Mason marries The Go-Go's Belinda Carlisle.*April 26 - Actor Arnold Schwarzenegger marries television journalist Maria Shriver.*May - Actress Heather Locklear marries Mötley Crüe drummer Tommy Lee....
: El Año de las lucesEl Año de las LucesYear of Enlightment is a 1986 Spanish film directed by Fernando Trueba, starring Jorge Sanz and Maribel Verdú. The film is a coming of age story of a sixteen year old boy finding love and sex in the aftermath of the Spanish Civil War... - 19871987 in film-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
: El bosque animadoEl bosque animadoThe Enchanted Forest is a 1987 Spanish film directed by José Luis Cuerda, based on the eponymous novel written by Wenceslao Fernández Flórez, with a script by Rafael Azcona. The film has a large ensambled cast headed by Alfredo Landa... - 19871987 in film-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
: El pecador impecable - 19871987 in film-Events:*January 31 - The Cure for Insomnia premieres at The School of the Art Institute in Chicago, Illinois, to officially become the world's longest film according to Guinness World Records....
: Moros y cristianos - 19881988 in film-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
: Come sono buoni i bianchi - 19881988 in film-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
: Pasodoble (film) - 19881988 in film-Top grossing films :- Awards :Academy Awards:* Act of Piracy* Action Jackson, starring Carl Weathers, Craig T. Nelson, Vanity, Sharon Stone* The Adventures of Baron Munchausen* Akira* Alice...
: Soldadito español - 19891989 in film-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
: El vuelo de la paloma - 19891989 in film-Events:* Batman is released on June 23, and goes on to gross over $410 million worldwide.* Actress Kim Basinger and her brother Mick purchase Braselton, Georgia, for $20 million...
: Blood and Sand (1989 film)Blood and Sand (1989 film)Blood and Sand is a 1989 Spanish drama film directed by Javier Elorrieta and starring Chris Rydell, Sharon Stone, and Ana Torrent. It was based on the novel Blood and Sand of Vicente Blasco Ibáñez, which had been made three times before in 1916, 1922 and 1941.-See also:* Blood and Sand Blood and... - 1990 : La Mujer de tu vida: La mujer infiel (TV)
- 1990 : Ay Carmela (film)
- 1992 : Chechu y familia
- 1992 : Belle époque (film)Belle Epoque (film)Belle Époque is a 1992 Spanish film directed by Fernando Trueba. The title derives from the period in French history known as the Belle Époque .-Plot:...
- 1993 : Tirano Banderas
- 1994 : La Mujer de tu vida 2: La mujer cualquiera (TV)
- 1995 : Suspiros de España
- 1995 : El Rey del río
- 1995 : El SeductorEl SeductorEl Seductor is a 1955 Mexican film. It was directed byChano Urueta....
- 1996 : Gran Slalom
- 1997 : Tranvía a la Malvarrosa
- 1997 : En brazos de la mujer madura
- 1997 : Siempre hay un camino a la derecha
- 1998 : Una Pareja perfecta
- 1998 : La niña de tus ojosLa niña de tus ojosThe Girl of Your Dreams is a 1998 Spanish drama film produced and directed by Fernando Trueba based on facts: during the Spanish Civil War, cinema studios supported the Republic, so Franco's followers had to go to Germany or Italy to make fictional films at Universum Film AG, known as UFA studios...
- 1999 : La lengua de las mariposas
- 2000 : Adiós con el corazón
- 2001 : El Paraíso ya no es lo que era
- 2001 : Son de marSon de Mar (film)Son de Mar is a 2001 Spanish drama / erotic film directed by Juan José Bigas Luna based on the novel of the same title by Manuel Vicent....
- 2002 : La Marcha verde
- 2004 : Franky Banderas
- 2004 : María querida
- 2008 : Los girasoles ciegos