While television these days provides programmes in Spanish or Catalan as well as the original language thanks to Dual, residents of the Costa Brava wanting to see films on the big screen have little choice.
Whereas in Barcelona there are a good number of cinemas showing films in original language with subtitles, the same is not true of Girona or anywhere on the Costa Brava. With a variety of people from different countries setting up home there it is perhaps a little surprising, and there don’t seem to be cine clubs showing films in English (or whatever original language).
While the general population may find it better to have films dubbed into Spanish (less frequently Catalan due to the economics), there are still plenty of people in Barcelona who prefer watching films in their original language, whatever that is; when living in Barcelona I watched many English language films, but also French and Italian films with Spanish subtitles.
It is curious though that Girona is much more restricted. However, there are a couple of options to see films in original language if you don’t want to travel down to Barcelona.
How to tell whether a film is dubbed or subtitled
When looking at cinema listing you’ll be able to tell if any are being shown in their original language, indicated by the following:
VO: versió original
VOSE: versió original subtitulada en espanyol
VOSC: versió original subtitulada en català
Which cinemas?
In Girona, Cinema Truffaut shows a variety of classic films daily. You can check out their website for details here.
The other cinema in Girona that sometimes shows films in English is OCine. You can find if any original language films are scheduled on the OCine website here. OCine in Platja d’Aro often shows original language films on the second and fourth Thursday of the month – click here for details – and OCine at Blanes also shows original language films.
Alternatives to the cinema
If even that sounds too much then there is always the option of streaming or downloading movies to watch in the comfort of your own home. In these days of big screens and surround sound the home experience can be similar in many ways to seeing a film at the cinema, although you don’t get the communal sense of sharing a film.
There are a number of options, including Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple iTunes. All you need to do is make some popcorn and dim the lights, then watch any movie you like in the comfort of your own private cinema.
