So what is VO? Luckily the words easily translate in English…VO is Versión Original (original version) movies. This means, instead of dubbing over the voices of foreign language movies there are simply subtitles for Spanish speakers. Yes, you NEED to know this because most movie theaters in Spain have dubbed films and no offense to the voice actors (who must enjoy a bit of fame and wealth due to their demand) but it just doesn’t feel so right watching Brad Pitt’s mouth move out of sync with his new faster and seemingly more nasal spanish speaking voice.
There is some interesting history behind the dubbing..I read somewhere once that in 1941 obligatory dubbing made the showing of original versions of foreign films illegal unless they were first dubbed in Spanish studios. But I think more shocking is that this seems to be the one thing the Spanish haven’t thrown out the window and worked at break neck pace to get passed. I found this interesting case study on Spain as a Dubbing Country which helps us understand just a little more about the Spanish…for those interested.
And for those of us who find value in someone’s real voice…a list of VO movie theaters:
Cine Renoir – Locations all over Madrid. Sometimes you purchase a specific seat (like the rest of Europe) and sometimes you have open seating (like the USA). The seats are comfortable and the theater is nice.
Yelmo Theaters – Many locations. They’ve got a good central location in Sol.
Pequeño Cine Estudio – (the website doesn’t appear to be functioning) Calle Magallanes 1. Madrid, 28015 in Chameri.
Cines Golem – I have not yet been to this theater but it appears they have a good selection of independent films.
Just make sure when you plan your movie trip that VO is written somewhere on the movie poster (usually in the corner). And then next make sure the movie script doesn’t have too many other languages than what you’d hoped for – we had our own comedic experience of watching Inglorious Bastards in VO and were lucky enough to resort to the Spanish subtitles for half of it.
Happy Movie Watching
