Luis Buñuel: Aesthetics of the Irrational, ICA

The ICA is hosting a series of films celebrating the work of director Luis Buñuel, provocative filmmaker and close contemporary of Salvador Dali and poet Federico García Lorca. If you're thirsting for revolution this November, this might just be your ticket – Buñuel formed the nucleus of the Spanish Surrealist avant-garde that shocked – and insulted – the twentieth century intellectual bourgeoisie.

The retrospective starts from the very beginning of Buñuel's career, with arguably the most poignant and famous short film ever made, Un Chien Andalou (1929). Later on we're looking forward to the films taken from his Mexican period: Los Olvidados (1950), El (1953) and The Exterminating Angel (1962). Other highlights include screenings of Buñuel's legendary films Belle de Jour (1967) and Tristana (1970). Finally, we're excited about the rare chance to see the short film Eating Sea Urchins, a surrealist home movie that Buñuel filmed at Salvador Dali’s house in 1930.

The season features panel discussions and Q&As with a number of speakers, including eminent collaborator Jean-Claude Carrière, grandson Diego Buñuel, and leading academics such as Maria Delgado, Jo Evans, Peter Evans and Rob Stone. In the words of the Institute's accompanying hashtag, #VivaBunuel.