Imanol Arias in Argentina: the actor who became an illustrious visitor and frequent traveler of the priest in love with Camila

Imanol Arias lives in the memories of Argentines. And his imprint has also remained in some corners of the country. Just walk around Chascomús, cross the main square, cross and enter the old house in front (Casa de Casco, historical monument), to hear the tour guide say that the film Camila (1984) was filmed there, which went to compete for the Oscar.

Immediately afterwards, the figure of the 67-year-old Spanish actor is represented, who – together with Susú Pecoraro – starred in that legendary film directed by María Luisa Bemberg.

This is how close Imanol Arias is to us, who from March 22nd will take the stage at the Pablo Neruda room on Paseo La Plaza, together with Mercedes Moránto act in the play Better not to say itby Salomé Lelouch, directed by Claudio Tolcachir.

Once again in Buenos Aires, a city where he always returns to work, visit friends and see the theater.

A priest and much more

Of course, in Chascomús some local residents claim the privilege of having witnessed the film, when a young Imanol, dressed in religious garb, filmed scenes in that central location.

I had 27 years old at the time he played Ladislao Gutiérrez. When he went to Argentina for the premiere, hundreds of people waited for him every day at the door of the hotel where he was staying, to greet him.

Forty years have passed since the premiere of Camila. However, Imanol is still for Argentina that priest who succumbed to the temptation to fall in love, suffer persecution and die, in a classic of national cinema that recreates a true story of a forbidden love in the time of Juan Manuel de Rosas. Of course, the love story between the Spanish actor and our country didn’t end here.

30 years ago he knew he was “the man who only wanted the moon”. He played the extravagant Roman emperor who Albert Camus transformed into the protagonist of an exquisite theatrical piece.

In Caligula -he said Ruben Szuchmacher-, still on Paseo La Plaza, Imanol led a cast in which they were Jorge Suarez AND Fabio Venawith whom he formed a lasting friendship.

The shadow of success Camila -and the public’s expectations towards “Ladislao”- followed him during that stay in Buenos Aires. At that time he was traveling with his wife, Pastora Vegaalso part of the cast of the show.

Six years ago, Imanol acted Life on the sticks (by Pedro Atienza and José Manuel Mora), at the Maipo theater.

It was about A flamenco show which followed the story of a man who reunites with his son, who he hadn’t seen since he was a child. In that combination of music, singing, dance and video, he played Alcayata, a singer who has been put to the test by drugs and the night.

At that time, Imanol He was married to the photographer and designer Irene Meritxell -from whom he divorced in 2021- and on that occasion he inaugurated -in Maipo itself- the photographic exhibition From stick to stickwhere portraits of Imanol in character were shown and during the filming of the video projected on the stage of a Valencian beach.

It was on that occasion that the actor visited the emblematic independent hall Timbre 4, by Claudio Tolcachir – now the director of its imminent premiere -, and even during that stay here, Arias was an illustrious guest of honor in the capital of Buenos Aires. Thus the ties that unite Imanol to our country have only strengthened.

The frequency of his appearances on Buenos Aires billboards was increasing. So much so that in 2023 she made it death of a salesman -directed by Szuchmacher-, by Arthur Miller, at the Opera House, as part of a tour; There he played Willy Loman in a show with four chairs and a Spanish cast, which he also took to the province of Córdoba, where the public appreciated the two performances he offered in front of a full house.

Then he visited the city of Rosario. Imanol knows he has conquered Argentina with Camila and that his love affair with this country remains valid. His family is no stranger to this bond, and in the version of death of a salesmanJon Arias, the actor’s eldest son, played Biff, son of the troubled street vendor.

Friends are friends

In his visits to Argentina, beyond his work commitments, the Spaniard never stops seeing his friends at the theater. Proof of this is that while in the country to perform Miller’s classic, Imanol went to see a performance of The divine family -in which he starred Fabio Vena-, in La Casona, and gave a standing ovation.

On other occasions he had seen his former friend perform 5th relief. year. But not only him. A couple of years ago he was invited to see Artthe classic comedy they starred in Pablo Echarri, Mike Amigorena and Fernán Mirás -The popular Spanish artist played an anarchist Fierce tango (1992), the film of Marcelo Pineyro where he met Mirás-, in Multitabarís.

In Voluntary retirement, shared a cast with his ex-partner’s partner. In 2017, directed by the Argentine Luca Figueroa and shot in Buenos Aires, this film was released with Imanol and Dario Grandinetti -which, by the way, it should be noted, did not receive very flattering reviews, although the acting work stood out-.

Pastora Vega is the mother of Imanol’s two children – after 25 years of relationship, they have always shown that they maintain a bond of respect and affection – and Before of the film, arrived holding the Argentine actor’s hand. But all more than fine; Obviously there was no shortage of humor about the situation, created by Arias himself.

Problems with the treasure

But not everything shines in Imanol’s life. His popularity, his prestige, the continuous job offers from both sides of the ocean, the large number of friends he was able to make and his children who inherited his vocation as an actor, have the other side of medal. the huge fiscal problem faced in Spain a few years ago, later Tell me how it happeneda TVE series debuted in 2001 and ended last year, after 23 seasons – it had its Argentine version, with a local cast.

This is a millionaire request made by the Spanish Treasury in relation to the payment of taxes on profits received. He has never shied away from the press when asked about the matter, as he claims he has always acted in good faith and has already paid off his debts.

In addition to the titles for which he is most remembered, there are others.

Even in Argentina other directors brought him to the big screen, although not always in a leading role: Buenos Aires kills me (1998), directed by Beda Docampo Feijóo, received unfavorable reviews.

But Waiting for the Messiahin 2000 and directed by Daniel Burman, was widely praised.

Published in 2011 and directed by Ariel Winograd, my first marriage It was a successful film in which he also participated.

And be the protagonist of Eva doesn’t sleep (Pablo Agüero, 2015) is another title that brings him very close to Argentina, from that film tells the odyssey of Eva Perón’s embalmed corpse.

This self-confessed “River fan”, who had the opportunity to go to the Monumental, arrived in Argentina when Raúl Alfonsín took over the presidency and has had a particular affection for him ever since.

He also makes his love for our land visible with images and words. A month ago, on her Instagram he published a photo and commented: “Internal patio in Buenos Aires. Always green and silent. Happy waiting.” Visiting this social network – where she does not expose her private life – also allows us to witness her affection for our country and its people.

His true name is Manuel María Arias Domínguezbut he became famous under his pseudonym.

There is no doubt that Imanol is very Spanish. He was born in a city called Riaño, he spent his childhood in the Basque Country and when he decided to become an actor he moved to Madrid. In his country he was the protagonist of great successes (Gold rings, Velvet collection) and was directed, among others, by Pedro Almodóvar.

But it is no less true that he loves Argentina very much and has come to express his sense of belonging to our country in different ways. He now returns to a local theater, with a comedy, and will certainly go to an Argentine barbecue.

Information

Better not to say it It will be presented from March 22nd, for just ten weeks, on Paseo La Plaza (Av. Corrientes 1660, CABA), with shows from Wednesday to Sunday.

She (Mercedes) and He (Imanol) are a couple who have been together for many years. His unbeatable formula: knowing when to speak and when to remain silent. But what would happen if for once in your life you thought about saying everything, absolutely everything? The answer will be on stage.

After the conclusion of the season in Argentina, Mercedes Morán and Imanol Arias will go on a regional tour to neighboring countries, and then present the comedy in Spain during the 2025 season.