Jaime Chávarri, a self-proclaimed "passionate craftsman", was a lawyer by profession, but his true calling was behind the camera. He experimented with his Super 8 camera, and eventually, he couldn't resist the urge to pursue a new career path. Chávarri enrolled at the Escuela Oficial de Cine in Madrid, where he honed his craft and laid the foundation for his future success.
Chávarri's first film, Los viajes escolares, released in 1976, tackled complex family issues and bore a deeply personal touch. Unfortunately, his work was met with misunderstanding by the critics. Undeterred, he continued to work with producer Elías Querejeta, resulting in one of his most iconic projects, El desencanto, which explored the Paneros family's struggles.
Chávarri's subsequent collaboration with Alfredo Matas brought about the period drama Bearn o la sala de las muñecas, an adaptation of Llorenç Vilallonga's novel. The film's release was followed by Chávarri's adaptation of Fernando Fernán Gómez's theatre play, Bicycles Are for the Summer, which earned him great commercial success.
Throughout his three-decade career, Chávarri demonstrated his versatility by exploring various genres, including the musical. His films, such as The Things of Love (1989) and its sequel, The Things of Love: Part 2 (1995),showcased his ability to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of storytelling.