Very few venues in the world can match the Plaza Mayor’s versatility: it has served as a tennis court, a parking lot, and a soccer field, and now it will once again become a cultural stage this June—though this time, concerts and official events will give way to a big screen.
On June 19 and 20, the Plaza Mayor will host the official launch of Platino Clásicos, a new international festival focused on classic and restored films from Ibero-American culture.
The event will kick off with two seminal works of Spanish cinema: *El verdugo* (1963), directed by Luis García Berlanga, and *Cría Cuervos* (1976), by Carlos Saura. The screenings will take place in the Plaza Mayor itself and will be free of charge until capacity is reached.
Two nights of free movies right in the heart of the city
The program will take place over two consecutive days. On June 19, *El verdugo* will be screened; it is considered one of Berlanga’s most influential works and one of the great satires of 20th-century Spanish cinema. The following day will feature *Cría Cuervos*, the film with which Saura crafted one of the most memorable portraits of Spain during the Transition.
Doors will open at 9:00 p. m. Before each screening, there will be a presentation, an introductory discussion, and musical performances. The screening will begin at 10:00 p.m.
According to information provided by the Community of Madrid, the planned capacity for these screenings is 700 people, and admission will be free until capacity is reached.
