Week 8

1936-39, the Spanish Civil War between Nationalist forces (under General Franco) and the Republican forces. Republicans lost with General Franco becoming Fascist leader until death in 1975. During the war, both sides made propaganda films. The Nationalist films were often made with the help of Italy and Germany, Europe’s two other fascist countries. After the war, Franco allegedly had a hand in some scripts about how great he was. After 1939 experimentation became a thing of the past

Strict controls over the film industry from 1937 onwards:

  • scripts must be pre-approved

  • films are dubbed, overseen by censors

  • criticism of the government, Church and Royal family was forbidden

  • many films banned, some after they had been approved for showing

  • scenes from foreign films either cut for sexual or political content, or changed in dubbing

From 1962-72 there was a period of apertura or “opening” in Spanish culture, which aimed to move Spain toward greater integration with Europe, showing the positives of Fascism.

During the 60s foreign collaborations and productions were encouraged, partly for economic reasons.

Spain in the early 70s

National film school closed in 1970.

Civil unrest combined with increasing liberalisation

Franco’s health was failing, he became a figurehead. In 1973 he appointed Luis Carrero Blanco as PM.

ETA, the Basque separatist group was involved in terrorist activities, and assassinate Blanco.

The death of Franco essentially left Spain a democratic constitutional monarchy.

Neo-fascists killed five labour lawyers inside their office in Madrid in 1977. Three months later the Spanish Communist Party was given legal status, partly in response to the killings.

The first free elections were held in 1977 - the Socialist Workers Party won.

A new constitution was drafted in 1978.

In 1981 there was an attempted military coup, which sought to return Spain to what is was under Franco. The coup was put down peacefully within a day. For many, this was the true birth for Spanish democracy.

the Madrid Scene

An artistic response to repression.

A cultural movement involving most notably…