Carmen,
Very true.
Lizzie,
As to your questions, allow me to give my opinion. From what I have seen of both Spanish television and the cinema, I think it has produced some quality viewing. For example, the TVE has produced some excellent culturally oriented programs such as
Un Pais en la Mochila Many of these programs tend to deal with the historical/cultural aspects of their country.
Their comedians, such as [email]Martes y Trece[/email] or
Cruz y Raya are not too unlike Monty Python's Flying Circus.
Having said that, I believe that many of their programs are heavy-handed (especially their news casts) or rely on the prurient. It seemed more so after the end of the Franco regime. Spaniards no longer had to go to Perpignan to see porn flicks when they could watch them on the tele.
Their cinema too, tends to be heavy-handed. There are countless dramas dealing with the Civil War. Their comedies, like many in the US, rely on "slob humor" or Animal House antics, such as [email]Isi Disi, Amor a lo bestia[/email]
I think it is a question of money. Spain, unfortunately, does not have the Hollywood budgets to make better cinema. This is not to say that Spain does not have fine actors or directors. It does. I think Fernando Fernan Gomez is the John Gielgud of Spain. There are also Antonio Banderas, Antonio Resines, Paz Vega, Javier Bardem, Jordi Molla, and Penelope Cruz, to name a few. Unfortunately, they are not widely known (except for Banderas and Cruz) outside of Spain.
Almodovar is a great director. I think his [email]Talk to Her[/email] is one of the best things he's ever done. However, he is not to everyone's taste. Yes, a great director, but not a Spielberg. Alejandro Amenabar and Julio Medem are also good, but they are no Hitchcock.
I think Spain lacks the demographics to produce the widely known works that the rest of the world would want take notice.
I don't know if that will help you. Just my two eurocents.
Cogito cogito ergo sum cogito