Spanish writer Rafael Azcona dies

Spanish novelist and screenwriter Rafael Azcona died 23 March 2008 of lung cancer. Born in Logrono, Spain, on 24 October 1926, he may be best known for writing the film Belle Époque, which won the Oscar for best foreign film in 1994.

He started out writing for humor magazines before moving into film work with 1959's El Pisito (The Little Apartment), which was based on his black-comedy novel of the same name. Since then, he has amassed nearly 100 screenwriting credits, mostly Spanish comedies and dramas.

His genre work includes: El Bosque animado (1987), Ciao maschio (Bye Bye Monkey, 1978), Grandeur nature (1974), Tarot (1973), and Un Omicidio perfetto a termine de legge (Cross Current, 1971).

He is survived by his wife, Susi.