Portrait of an artist

THEY were born within four blocks of each other.

Now Spanish heartthrob Antonio Banderas is to play Malaga’s other beloved son Pablo Picasso in an upcoming biopic.

33 Days, directed by Carlos Saura, will portray the life of the celebrated painter during the period he produced his masterpiece Guernica.

It will focus on his relationship with his lover, French artist Dora Maar.

“Picasso deserves a lot of respect,” said Banderas.

“He is a character that has pursued me for a long time.”

Filming is set to begin next year.