Madrid was recently ranked #6 by Expedia in a poll of celebrity holiday destinations. However, Madrid's past is no less star studded than its present. Here is a rundown of some of Madrid's most noted residents:
Luis Bunuel
A Spanish filmmaker best known for eyeball popping shockfest 'Un Chien Andalou' and iconic sadistic drama 'Belle de Jour', Brunuel met his friend and longtime collaborator, Salvador Dali, whilst studying at the University of Madrid (now known as Universidad Complutense de Madrid). He also spent time with Spanish Poet Lorca. As well as 'Un Chien Andalou' the Dali and Brunuel collaborated on other surrealist productions such as 'L'Age D'or'. Brunuel went on to direct numerous cinematic masterpieces such as 'Tristana', Cet Obscur Object du Desir' and 'La Fantome de la Liberte'.
Ernest Hemingway
Nobel prize winning, Cuba Libre sipping, Godfather of cafe culture; Ernest Hemmingway lived in Hotel Florida, Madrid for many years. Born in America in 1889 Hemingway resided in the city during the late 1920's and 30's whilst working on 'The Sun Also Rises'. Hemingway also wrote a considerable amount of his most famous novel 'For Whom the Bell Tolls' whilst in Madrid. Numerous tours run throughout the city pointing out Hemingway's favourite haunts.
Pedro Almodovar
Pedro Almodovar is something of a flavour of the month at the moment; with his Penelope Cruz collaborations garnering both column inches and critical acclaim. Aged 17, Almodovar fled the small village he was born in and headed to Madrid. Madrid has provided the perfect backdrop to Almodovar's experimental cinema,as the director himself said: ' this city has always provided me with the perfect fauna (sassy and ideal) for each and every one of my films'. Almodovar has since received worldwide acclaim for movies such as 'All about my mother' and 'Volver'; the latter of which won the best screenplay award at the 2006 Cannes Film Festival.
Penelope Cruz
Toms Cruise's ex and Almodovar's muse; Cruz considers Madrid to be her home. After a working class childhood in the Madrid suburb of Alcobendas Cruz has gone on to become an A-list Hollywood star teaming up with Almodovar numerous times as well as starring opposite Johnny Depp in 'Blow' and Tom Cruise in 'Vanilla Sky'. Cruz however, has not forgotten her Spanish roots, designing clothing for Spanish brand Mango and continuing to divide her time between Spain and the US.
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