Columbus Day 2026

 

RIP Jiří Štěpnička

 

RIP Jiří Štěpnička – Czech zctor and voice actor Jiří Štěpnička died on October 11^th in Prague, he was 79 years old.  Jiří worked at the National Theatre for a long time, beginning in 1975, and the Czech public also know him from TV series and films. He also devoted himself to dubbing, where he lent his voice to foreign actors, including Harrison Ford and Michael Douglas. Jiří Štěpnička appeared as Hermann in the 1977 TV western film “Rose Mary”.

Little Known Spaghetti Western Actors ~ Kaspar Eichel

[These daily posts will cover little known actors or people that have appeared in more recent films and TV series. Various degrees of information that I was able to find will be given and anything that you can add would be appreciated.]

Kaspar Eichel was born in Berlin on November 27, 1942. His father, Wito Eichel, was an author and later became the director of the DEFA Studio for Synchronization. From 1960 to 1963, Eichel studied acting at the Staatliche Schauspielschule (State Academy of Dramatic Art, now: Hochschule für Schauspielkunst “Ernst Busch”) in Berlin. He has found engagements throughout his career at theaters in Senftenberg, Potsdam, Dresden and Berlin.

Eichel had his film debut in the lead role in Siegfried Hartmann’s adaptation of the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, “Die goldene Gans”. In 1966, he played one of the leading roles in Wolfgang Kohlhaase and Gerhard Klein’s “Berlin um die Ecke”, which was banned alongside eleven other films made or in production at the time. Nevertheless, Eichel soon found work in a supporting role for Kurt Maetzig’s “Die Fahne von Kriwoj Rog”.

In 1969, Eichel joined the DFF (East German Television) acting ensemble. And in the following years, he worked primarily in television. He landed roles in Frank Beyer’s 5-part film ‘Rottenknechte’, and Frank Vogel’s comedy ‘Die Gänse von Bützow’. In addition, he played in several episodes of popular television series, such as ‘Der Staatsanwalt hat das Wort’ and ‘Hallo Robbie!’ One of Eichel’s most recent film projects was the role of Erich Mielke, the long-term GDR Minister for State Security, in Jens Becker’s Stasi docudrama ‘Erich Mielke – Meister der Angst’ in 2015.

Since the 1990s, Kaspar Eichel has worked in theater and television, as well as in synchronization for film and video games and audiobooks. His extensive list of dubbing projects includes almost one thousand parts. He has given his German voice to many international movie stars, including Robert Redford, Richard Dreyfuss, Dennis Hopper, and Anthony Hopkins. Eichel has also worked as director and actor, and he has been at the Berlin Kriminal Theater (Theater for Crime Plays) since 2001.

Kaspar Eichel appeared in one Euro-western, “Apachen’ (Apaches) as a miner in 1973.

EICHEL, Kaspar [11/27/1942, Berlin, Berlin, Germany -     ] – theater, film, radio, TV, voice actor, son of author, director Wito Eichel [1913-2002].

Apaches – 1973 (miner)

Spaghetti Western Directors, Screenwriters, Cinematographers

Spaghetti Western Director ~ Vesa-Matti Loiri

Vesa-Matti "Vesku" Loiri was a Finnish actor, musician, comedian, and multifaceted entertainer renowned for his portrayal of the indolent and scheming everyman Uuno Turhapuro in twenty comedy films spanning 1973 to 2004.

Loiri was born in Helsinki on January 4, 1945, and began his film career in 1962 and became a staple of Finnish popular culture through his versatile talents, including acting in diverse roles, recording numerous albums as a singer-songwriter and flutist, and even participating in sports.

His musical endeavors earned Emma Award nominations, and he represented Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 1980 with the flute-driven entry "Huilumies," which finished last among nineteen participants.

Beyond entertainment, Loiri engaged in billiards as a competitive player and served as president of the Finnish Billiards Federation, reflecting his broad interests.

He died from pancreatic and stomach cancer after a prolonged illness on August 10, 2022 at the age of 77, leaving a legacy as one of Finland's most beloved and prolific artists.

Vesa-Matti Loiri co-directed one Euro-western, “Hirttämättömät” (The Unhanged) with Pertti Pasanen.

LOIRI, Vesa-Matti (aka Joulupukki, Jean-Pierre Kusela, Loiri, Matti Loiri, Vesku Loiri, Tyyne) [1/4/1945, Helsinki, Finland – 8/10/2022, Helsinki, Finland (cancer)] – director, writer, composer, theater, film, TV actor, musician, singer, brother of designer Pekka Loiri [1946-    ], married to actress Tuula Nyman (Tuula Elisabet Nyman) [1943–2014] (1967-1969), married to Mona Marianne Puolanen [1954-1977] (1973-1977) father of Jan Sebastian Lori [1973-1994], married to Ritta Jäppinen (1978-1989) father of Jenni Loiri [1979-    ], father of Jennin Lori [1982-    ], Joonas L. (Joonas Lori) [1982-2019], married to Stina Toljander [1973-    ] (1994-1999) father of Ukko Lori [1995-    ], Sampo Lori [1996-    ], awarded Golden Venla for his special merits in the television industry [2011].

The Unhanged – 1971 (co) [as Loiri]

Spaghetti Western Screenwriter ~ Howard Estabrook

Howard Estabrook was an American screenwriter known for his Academy Award-winning adaptation of Edna Ferber's novel ''Cimarron'' (1931), the first Western film to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards.

Born in Detroit, Michigan, on July 11, 1884, Estabrook began his entertainment career as a stage actor in the early 1900s before transitioning to silent films as both an actor and director. He shifted his primary focus to screenwriting by the late 1920s, where he achieved his greatest success adapting literary works and crafting original scripts for major Hollywood productions during the 1930s and 1940s.

His most notable achievements include the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay for ''Cimarron'', as well as a nomination for ''Street of Chance'' (1930). Estabrook also contributed to adaptations of classic literature, including ''David Copperfield'' (1935) and other period dramas, demonstrating his skill in translating complex narratives to the screen.

Estabrook continued working in Hollywood into the 1950s, with credits spanning acting, directing, producing, and writing across numerous films. He remained active in the industry until his later years and died in 1978 in Woodland Hills, California. His contributions helped shape early sound-era Hollywood, particularly in the Western and literary adaptation genres.

Estabrook died of cancer at the actors home in Woodland Hills, California on July 15, 1978 a week after turning 94.

Howard Estabrook co-wrote two screenplays for Euro-westerns: “El hombre malo” aka “Lopez, le bandit” (The Bad Man) with Baltasar Fernandez Cue in 1930

ESTABROOK, Howard (Howard Estabrook Bolles) [7/11/1884, Detroit, Michigan, U.S.A. – 7/16/1978, Woodland Hills, Los Angeles, California, USA (cancer)] – producer, director, writer, actor, married to writer Margaret Estabrook (Alice Margaret Gretchen Dale) [1887-1975] (1907-1975).

El hombre malo – 1930 (co)

Spaghetti Western Cinematographer ~ Robert Richter

Robert Richter was a German cameraman and inventor who was born in Nuremberg on May 17, 1899. He worked as a cameraman filming many European silent films. He teamed up with friend August Arnold and the two became a team. Together they opened a small shop in a former shoemaker's shop in the Tuerkenstrasse in Munich. They called the company ARRI using the initials of their names and developed just one product: a copying machine they built on a lathe Richter had received as a Christmas present from his parents. Taking the first two letters of their surnames, they christened their new enterprise ARRI.

Being camera operators, film producers and an equipment rental outfit before they ever manufactured an ARRI camera. From the very beginning they worked directly with filmmakers and the insight they gained helped them to develop equipment that met real on-set needs. In today’s industry, with technology driven at breakneck speed by marketing hype, this philosophy of listening to what filmmakers want – rather than telling them – is more important than ever.

Richter died in Munich, Germany on June 18, 1972 at the age of 73.

Robert Richter was a co-cinematographer on two silent Euro-westerns: “Texas Fred’s Brautfahrt” (Texas Fred’s Honeymoon Ride) with August Arnold in 1919 and “Die Flammen fahrt des Pacific-Express” (The Flaming Journey of the Pacific Express) with August Arnold in 1921.

RICHTER, Robert [5/17/1899, Nuremberg, Germany – 6/18/1972, Munich, Bavaria Germany] – producer, film director, cinematographer co-founded ARRI with August Arnold in 1917.

Texas Fred’s Brautfahrt – 1919 (co)

The Flaming Journey of the Pacific Express – 1921 (co)

Almeria Western Film Festival 2026 5th day

 

MONDAY, OCTOBER 12 IN TABERNAS

10:00 h / Theatre / Projection of Palmarés

Jury Award for Best Short Film of the Official Section.

Award for best film school short.

RTVA Award for the best Andalusian short film.

(Several / 70’, VOSE).

With the presence of its directors.

10:00 h / Glorieta de España / Mercadillo

11:00 h / People's Square / Characterization contest

Pre-registration 30 minutes before the activity at the venue.

11:00 h / J Square. Bellver and C/ Miguel Solves / Animation

Inflatables and children's workshops.

11:30 h / People's Square / Cinematic inventions

The Fair of Illusions. +info

Pedagogical activity for all ages.

11:30 h / Theatre / Projection of the Palmarés

Award for the best feature film Almería Western Film Festival 2026.

13:00 h / People's Square / Music

Concert country, blues and rockabilly: Angela Hoodoo. +info

16:00 h / Theatre / Projection

Panorama Section: ‘Westerns, a Fistful of Women’ +Info

(Karen Nixon / United Kingdom / 2026 / 90’ / +12, VOSE).

International premiere. With the presence of its director

OTHER ACTIVITIES

XIII Route of the Western Lid

From 2 to 12 October 2026.

Get your brochure in the participating bars or on our website.

Photo exhibition ‘The Sea of the Tavern Desert’

In the hermitage of San Sebastian.

From 8 to 17 October, from 11:30 to 15:00 h.

IX Showcase Decoration Contest

One more attraction to visit the town of Tabernas and enjoy the western atmosphere in its streets and shops.

Rada Rassimov and Enrique Cerezo receive recognition from AWFF in Tabernas for their link with the history of the western

Almeria Western Film Festival

October 8, 2026

The actress, who filmed 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' 60 years ago, and the producer have been protagonists of the opening gala of the 16th edition

Almeria, October 8, 2026.- Almeria Western Film Festival (AWFF) inaugurated its sixteenth edition this Thursday with a day marked by the recognition of two figures linked to cinema and the western genre: the actress Rada Rassimov, who has received the 'Tabernas de Cine' award, and the producer Enrique Cerezo, distinguished with the award for the 'Dissemination of the Western Genre'.

Sixty years ago, Rada Rassimov played Maria in Sergio Leone's play 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' (1966), a brief but decisive performance that made her one of the most remembered faces of the genre. That same year he returned to the Tabernas Desert to star in 'Cazador de recompensas', by Tonino Valerii, consolidating an artistic link with this territory that continued with titles such as 'Don't wait for Django, shoot!' and 'Django the bastard'.

Rada Rassimov thanked the 'Tabernas de Cine' Award for an entire career and highlighted his link with the town of Almeria, where 60 years ago he filmed 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly': "It is a deep and unexpected emotion. 60 years ago I was here to play Maria. I was young, I was just starting my career and I couldn't imagine that this film would become such an important part of the history of cinema."

The actress also recalled her other shootings in Tabernas and pointed out that the recognition is "not only a recognition of my career, but also a tribute to that era of Italian cinema, of the 'spaghetti western' and of European cinema, which we contributed to building together".

Rassimov had a special memory for Sergio Leone and for those who shared those shootings with her: "Many of them are no longer here, but tonight I feel them by my side." He also thanked being part of the Tabernas Cinema Walk along with other big names who have received this award: "It is an extraordinary honour for me".

The actress closed her words with a message of thanks to Tabernas and the festival: "Thanks to cinema, which has given me encounters, emotions and memories that I will carry with me forever". "A part of me stays here forever," he concluded.

Rassimov has also discovered his chair on the Paseo del Cine de Tabernas, on Avenida de las Angustias. The actress joins the list of winners of the 'Tabernas de Cine' Award, along with legends of the 'spaghetti western' such as Franco Nero, Terence Hill, Gianni Garko and Fabio Testi, and fundamental figures of Spanish cinema such as Sara Montiel, Mónica Randall, Sancho Gracia, Charo López or the director of photography José Luis Alcaine. All of them share an essential link with Almeria as a land of filming, inspiration and legend of the seventh art.

For his part, Enrique Cerezo received the award for the 'Dissemination of the Western Genre' during the gala, in recognition of a career closely linked to the conservation and dissemination of Spanish cinematographic heritage. Over the decades, Cerezo has promoted the acquisition, conservation, digitization, restoration and distribution of thousands of Spanish film titles from Video Mercury Films, including numerous productions of the so-called 'spaghetti western', a genre intimately linked to the cinematographic history of Tabernas.

His relationship with Almeria also dates back to 1974, when he directed the documentary 'The Smile of the Sun: Almeria', a look at the cinema and landscape of the province. At the end of the 90s he also produced the western films 'The Return of El Coyote' (Mario Camus, 1998), 'A Dollar for the Dead' (Gene Quintano, 1998) and 'Justice of the Outlaws' (Bill Corcoran, 1999), shot in the Tabernas Desert and in the western towns.

Through Mercury Films, Cerezo has worked to preserve a fundamental part of Spanish audiovisual memory, with a catalogue of more than 7,000 titles. This work of recovery and conservation, which includes numerous films of the western genre, has helped to avoid the loss of a cinematographic heritage also linked to the history of Tabernas. For this career, the Film Academy awarded him the Gold Medal in 2025.

Enrique Cerezo highlighted the historical link between Almeria, Tabernas and cinema: "To talk about Almeria, cinema and Tabernas is to talk about western spaghetti, the desert, towns, saloons and sheriffs, but also about great titles with worldwide success such as 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly', 'Death Had a Price' or 'A Fistful of Dollars'".

The producer also underlined the impact that cinema had in the province during the 60s, not only as a stage for major international productions, but also as a generator of employment and as part of the cultural heritage: "This industry not only served to make some of the best films, but also created employment and promoted a historical film archive that today is part of our cultural imaginary".

Cerezo, who has worked and produced films shot in Almeria, has defended the need to preserve that legacy: "I learned to look at cinema not only as cinema, but also as heritage, which we all have the responsibility to preserve". In this sense, he pointed out that "producing cinema means taking care of the film memory of our country" and has claimed the restoration and recovery of films as a way to prevent a fundamental part of cultural history from disappearing.

Finally, he compared film production to crossing the Tabernas Desert and vindicated the role of the festival in the defence of the genre: "To receive this award here, in Almeria, and precisely in a festival that keeps the passion for the western alive, is a true and authentic honour". "Let us never let these films, these landscapes and these stories be extinguished," he concluded.

The opening gala, held at the Municipal Theatre of Tabernas and presented by Bego Puentes, has focused on Rassimov's career and his close link with the cinema shot in the Tabernas Desert. The event also included the participation of the actress Eva Almaya and the musical performance of Víctor Guirado. In addition, the Vice President and Deputy for Culture, Almudena Morales; the territorial delegate for Culture, Historical Heritage and Sport of the Junta de Andalucía, Juan José Alonso; the mayor of Tabernas, José Díaz; and the director of the festival, Juan Francisco Viruega.

During the course of the gala, a minute of silence was held in memory of Rafael Molina, who died just a week ago. Molina, manager of Fort Bravo Texas Hollywood, was also co-founder and co-organizer of the Almeria Western Film Festival and a figure closely linked to the development and promotion of western culture in Tabernas.

The first day of AWFF began with the inaugural parade, which started from Europa Avenue and ended at the Tabernas Tourist Office. Next, the Municipal Theater has hosted the screening of 'Billy and the cowboy hamster', within the Junior Western section, a proposal aimed at family audiences.

The program has continued with the inauguration, in the hermitage of San Sebastián, of the photographic exhibition 'La mar del Desierto de Tabernas', by Pícaro Digit. At 12.30 p.m., the Theatre hosted a new session of the International Film Schools Section.

In the afternoon, La Serrata was the scene of the talk 'Cowboys with wifi. Western Fans and Social Networks', by the Western Saloon collective, followed by the screening of 'Ouro e Oásis', by Sebastião Borges, within the Found Treasures section, with the presence of the director. Another of the highlights of the day was the presentation and signing of the book 'Sergio Leone by himself', by its author, Sir Christopher Frayling, one of the leading specialists in the work of the Italian filmmaker and winner of the 'Desierto de Tabernas' award at AWFF 2021.

After the opening gala, the festival paid tribute to the 60th anniversary of 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' with the screening of the film directed by Sergio Leone in 1966. Frayling has been in charge of introducing the session and contextualizing one of the fundamental films in the history of the Western, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of its premiere. With this first day, the AWFF has begun an edition that will have as one of its axes the bridge as an iconographic motif and symbol of the union between different cultures, narratives and cinematographic languages, as well as focusing on diversity within the genre.

Spaghetti Western locations Then & Now – “Bullet for the General”

Here’s a screengrab from th "El Chuncho, quien sabe?"(Yo soy la revolución) aka “A Bullet for the General” where the rebels have tied a Mexican soldier to the tracks to stop a troops transport so that they can attack it.

This scene was filmed along the often used Alb train line in Almeria, Spain. It was also seen in “Giu la Testa” (Duck You Scuker) when Sean and Juan are riding toward Mesa Verde, The line is still in use today.