MANOLETE

Manolete, ( Manuel Laureano Rodriguez Sanches) considered to be one of the best bullfighters of all time, was born in Cordoba on 4th July 1917 and killed by the Miura bull “Islero” at the Linares Bullfighting Ring in August 1947. In 1930 was his public debut in the Montilla School of Bullfighting in Cordoba. In 1940 he was at all the most important bullfights in Seville, Bilbao, Barcelona and Madrid and became the star of Spanish bullfighting. In June 1939 he fought for the first time as a “Novillero” and one month later becomes a Matador, receiving his “alternativa” in Chiclanero, Seville. He confirmed his “alternativa” in Madrid on 12th October of the same year at by Marcial Lalanda. At the end of the 1945 season he travelled to South America where his successes in the bullrings of Mexico. Peru, Venezuela and Colombia made him the most famous bullfighter in the world. His style was sober and serious, with few concessions to the gallery . He used to stand very still while the bull passed close to his body. He was able to remain in one spot and link four or five consecutive passes together into a compact series. He invented a pass with the muleta called “Manoletina.
In 2008 Menno Meyjes directed The Passion Within, a movie about Manolete’s late live and love affair with the actress Lupe Sino before he was gored to death in the Bull Ring. Adrien Brody and Penelope Cruz played the roll of Manolete and Lupe Sino.