The Spanish Punk Who Conquered the World

“Ask most Americans to name a Spanish director and they can’t get past “A” for Almodóvar. Since 1980, Spain’s most famous Pedro has turned out a new movie every other year, and all of them have been events.

“Labyrinth of Passion” (1982) launched Antonio Banderas’s career. “Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown” (1988) was a breakout arthouse hit. “Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!” (1990) sparked an American controversy that ushered in the NC-17 rating. He’s practically Ellis Island for Spanish talent going abroad: Mr. Banderas, Javier Bardem, and Penelope Cruz all had their passports stamped in his movies, and he’s produced early films from directors like Guillermo del Toro (“Hellboy”) and Alex de la Iglesia (“El Crimen Perfecto”).”

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