Sitges Film Festival 2011

It's that time of the year again. It completely doesn't feel like it, with the "hottest October since 1940-whatever" cos we're normally used to a bit more of a chill nowadays (pun intended) but it is indeed time for the 44th Annual Festival de Cine de Sitges. What started as a small festival back in 1968 has gone from strength to strength and is a must-visit for any fantasy/horror fan - there simply is too much to choose from with Asia heavily represented, of course, local cinema, classic horror legends and new screenings to choose from and compete for the awards. Don't just take my word for it, the press page speaks for itself. 300 screenings to over 100,000 people attracting 430 different media outlets from around the globe. And that's not even mentioning the über fun Zombie Walk - this year on the 14th October.



It's normal for the festival to honour a figure in the world of fantasy cinema be it an actor, director or whoever, and this year it's a younger man - Bryan Singer - who is honoured for his fantasy/comic direction with such films as X-Men and Superman under his belt and another X-Men in pre-production. He's also the man responsible for bringing Battlestar Galactica back to the big screen and the man who produced the House series and (one of my favourite films) The Usual suspects. That man deserves a pat on the back.

With the 10th anniversary of Spielberg's Artificial Intelligence Movie here, the festival also takes a look at the way AI has been portrayed in movies from Spielberg to Kubrik, and indeed the official posters are at first glance a man and a woman but are in fact robots from Japan. The idea is to provoke and arouse ambiguity and interest to take a further look. What do you think? Planning on attending this year, or hobbling along to the zombie walk? Let me know in the comments.

And if you're looking to take advantage of all this good weather for a last gasp beach trip, check out BCN Rentals apartments for a great deal on accommodation. And for some information about other Barcelona Day trips aside from Sitges, check the link.

Sitges Car Rally - A Date for This Month

Despite the modern creations in the automobile industry, there's something special about the history of cars that can raise a smile more then the new hybrid model by the current big guns. I have developed a love for old cars from my father, who loved the old cars and would make us watch chitty-chitty-Bang-Bang every Easter/Half-term/Christmas. When you see one of these old classics alongside the cars on la ronda it always raises an eyebrow, but when you see more than one - or a whole parade, it's something special.



Well, this month welcomes one of the biggest meetings of these classic cars in the Sitges Rally. Dating as far back as 1959, the Rally takes place at the end of March from the 26th to 28th March. The cars meet up at 10am at Arc de Triomf in Barcelona, and are on display until around 17h. The following day, all of the cars leave from Plaça Sant Jaume and make their way along the coast to Sitges. With between 80 and 100 cars taking part, it's a real spectacular with participants coming from all over Europe to join in the fun, dreesing up in period costumes to accompany the feel of their car and its age. Prizes are given out throughout the weekend and it's fun for all the ages. If you're in the centre near Las Ramblas or Sant Jamue at around 11am on Sunday, you'll be sure to see them passing by!

Coming to Barcelona for the spring? Check out these Barcelona apartments for a great way to relax in family. And for some tips for day trips from Barcelona, click the link.