Libertarias

A tender and cruel film. Paradoxical? No when a real story is told. And the story occurs in Spain during the civil war. For this short summer of anarchy, in the most beautiful of the popular feats of the century, the director conducts an affectionate and anarchical look. He make us to remember that in revolutionary periods, revolutionaries are needed. But does not permit that we forget the monumental inefficiency of anarchism.

The best docu drama I have ever seen. Everything was spot on. I have studied this period in detail and it does not disappoint. Only saw it with French subtitles but no problem for me. Why isn't there one with English titles? That is absurd as English speakers need educating

This movie tells the story of the last battle that has been fought with hopes of forming a Utopian society... a libertarian communist society based on anarchy. Everyone is equal. Everyone is a soldier. There are no rankings, everyone fights as an equal. Even men and women are seen as equals. In times when we are beginning to see the failings of a capitalist society, this movie is an inspiration to show that it is possible to form a collective society in which everyone is free and equal. It makes you contemplate the argument of are you really free in a democratic society? This movie takes a particularly feminist perspective, following the association of free women, a branch of the revolution in which the women were just as devoted to the cause as the men, and expect to be treated equal, even if it means they will fight and die. This movie should be an inspiration to us all as it becomes obvious that a liberal capitalist life is unsustainable..it is a must see, especially if you enjoy political movies. 8.5 out of 10.

**If you like this movie check out Salt of the Earth, about the strikes at the zincs mines in new Mexico by Mexican workers...also a must see!**

This film, an impressive epic about the Spanish Civil War, focuses on the roles of women in the conflict. Thus, the title which translates to "Female Libertarians." This is probably the definitive film on the subject, with all its flaws. Some critics may see the film as "overkill" since it features extreme examples of female suffering, as well as extreme characterizations of the female center and left-wing fighters in the war. The characters include bourgeois women, working class girls, anarchists, and even a nun. The cast is a who's who of female actresses of Spanish Cinema in the 90's. But, considering the horrors and excesses of the war itself, whether the film can be excessive at all, is an open question. Very worth-while watching, and a must for those who follow Spanish Cinema or 20th century History.

As social commentary, Libertarias succeeds incredibly well. Despite the ignorant reviews written by some critics complaining that "90's politics ruin war drama," it is clear to any student of the Spanish conflict that the politics displayed are those of the 1930's. The film roundly criticizes the absurd hypocrisy of the Catholic Spain that Franco and his fascists were defending, illustrated perfectly by a scene in which the nun Maria is forced into bed with a bishop in a brothel - women are expected to be both whores and chaste nuns simultaneously.

As an encapsulation of Spanish (and international) anarchism it also succeeds - the film is peppered with quotes from Bakunin and Kropotkin, Buenaventura Durruti is portrayed as a character (giving his famous "new worlds in our hearts" speech) and the film even goes so far as to portray the ghost of Mateo Morral, an actual historical figure, who in 1906 attempted to assassinate the Spanish royal couple. Unlike Land and Freedom, Libertarias portrays the Spanish Revolution more than the Civil War, showing the Confederacion Nacional del Trabajo and Federacion Anarquista de Iberica (CNT-FAI) at their height, in 1936 after having liberated Barcelona from the fascists. This film does an excellent job of correcting many of the slanders launched against anarchism, and of unearthing one of the most important events of the 30's, the Spanish Revolution. For anarchists, this film is a superb vindication that finally shows the movement at its most powerful.