Juan Antonio Bardem

Juan Antonio Bardem was a Spanish film director and screenwriter, born in Madrid on June 2, 1922. He was a member of the Communist Party and one of the most influential figures in Spanish cinema. He was best known for his socially critical films that challenged the Franco regime, such as Death of a Cyclist (1955), Main Street (1956), Vengeance (1957), and Seven Days in January (1979). He also collaborated with other prominent directors, such as Luis García Berlanga, Henri Colpi, and Woody Allen. He founded a film magazine, Objetivo, that raised the level of film criticism in Spain and informed readers about prohibited films. He was arrested and imprisoned several times by the Spanish authorities for his political views and his films. He received many awards and honors for his work, including the FIPRESCI Prize at the Cannes Film Festival, the Golden Prize at the Moscow International Film Festival, and the Goya Award for his lifetime achievement. He was the father of director Miguel Bardem and the uncle of actor Javier Bardem. He died in Madrid on October 30, 2002, at age 80, from a heart attack.