A Matador's Mistress (2008)
The forbidden love between Spain's greatest bullfighter and a scandalous actress, brought to life by Adrien Brody and Penélope Cruz.
A Matador's Mistress - Movie Information
- Original Title: Manolete
- Release Year: 2008
- Directed by: Menno Meyjes
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 32m
- Original Language: Spanish
- Spoken Languages: Spanish, English
- Release Date (Theatrical): September 6, 2008 (Canada), March 31, 2010 (France), May 17, 2010 (Italy - T), August 24, 2012 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: The Passion Within (DK), Manolete (FR), A Matador's Mistress (US), Blood and Passion (CA), Manolete (ES), The Passion Within (UK)
- Production Companies: Iberoamericana Films Produccion, Future Films, Manolete Production, Quinta Communications, E-M-S New Media, Trivisión, Pierce/Williams Entertainment
- Production Countries: Spain, United Kingdom, France, United States of America, Germany
A Matador's Mistress - Plot
Scandal erupts over a famous bullfighter's affair with a left-wing actress.
A Matador's Mistress - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see this passionate story unfold:
He defied death like a god... he succumbed to love as a man.
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A Matador's Mistress - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Menno Meyjes
Main Cast
- Adrien Brody
- Penélope Cruz
- Nacho Aldeguer
- Santiago Segura
- Juan Echanove
- Ann Mitchell
- José Linuesa
- Pedro Casablanc
Writers
- Menno Meyjes
Producers
- Tarak Ben Ammar
- Andrés Vicente Gómez
A Matador's Mistress - FAQs
Is A Matador's Mistress based on a true story?
Yes, A Matador's Mistress is rooted in real history. It dramatizes the passionate and controversial romance between Manuel Rodríguez Sánchez, known as Manolete — one of Spain's most celebrated bullfighters — and actress Lupe Sino, a relationship that scandalized Spanish society in the 1940s.
Who plays Manolete and Lupe Sino in the film?
Adrien Brody takes on the iconic role of Manolete, the legendary matador, while Penélope Cruz portrays Lupe Sino, the left-wing actress whose love affair with him caused a national scandal. Their pairing brings real emotional intensity to this turbulent historical romance.
What is A Matador's Mistress about?
The film explores the forbidden romance between Manolete, Spain's greatest bullfighter and a near-mythical national hero, and Lupe Sino, a politically controversial actress. Set against the backdrop of post-Civil War Spain, it examines love, fame, religion, and the personal cost of living as a public legend.
How did Manolete die, and is it shown in the film?
Manolete died on August 29, 1947, after being fatally gored by a bull named Islero during a corrida in Linares, Spain. The film dramatizes his life leading up to this tragic end, weaving his relationship with Lupe Sino into the story of a man who courted death in the ring while surrendering to love outside it.
When was A Matador's Mistress released?
A Matador's Mistress had its first release on September 6, 2008, in Canada. It later opened in France on March 31, 2010, in Italy on May 17, 2010, and finally reached Spanish audiences on August 24, 2012 — a notably long journey to the country at the heart of its story.
Who directed A Matador's Mistress?
Menno Meyjes directed A Matador's Mistress. He also wrote the screenplay, making this a deeply personal project. Meyjes is perhaps best known for writing the script for Steven Spielberg's The Color Purple, and here he brings a similarly literary sensibility to this Spanish biographical drama.
What are some movies similar to A Matador's Mistress?
If you enjoyed A Matador's Mistress, you might also love Moulin Rouge! (2001), Pearl Harbor (2001), and Bridget Jones's Diary (2001) for their blend of romance and drama. For similarly passionate period love stories, The Blue Angel (1930) and Sweet November (2001) are well worth exploring.
How long is A Matador's Mistress?
A Matador's Mistress runs for 92 minutes, or just over an hour and a half. It's a focused, intimate runtime that keeps the story tight around the central romance without overstaying its welcome — ideal for a single evening's viewing.
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