Celebrating influential art and cinema

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. You can change your cookie settings at any time. Otherwise, we'll assume you're OK to continue. Research into influential Spanish film director and artist Bigas Luna, who launched the careers of Hollywood stars such as Javier Bardem and Penélope Cruz, is behind an international celebration of his life's work. A homage to Bigas Luna , whose films include the popular comedy/drama Jamón, jamón, will be held in Newcastle upon Tyne from June 8 to 12 and will feature an exhibition of his artwork and film screenings. Work by Dr Santiago Fouz Hernández , Reader in Hispanic Studies, in Durham University's School of Modern Languages and Cultures , has informed the tribute which is part of a series of international events that started in San Francisco in 2015 and will continue with planned events in Barcelona later this year and in Los Angeles in 2017. Here Dr Fouz Hernández explains his research.