La corte de Faraón

It's simply hilarious! On the opening night, the actors, writer and producers of an "opereta" are arrested on the most far-fetched acussations. The story unfolds as the several characters make their affidavits: the impoverished actress engaged to the producer's wife's son (who is a Mama's boy and an homosexual); the monk forced by his superior to join the cast as the "Chaste Joseph" because the production is for charity purposes, the rich, bourgeoise producer and his diva of a wife, who appear to be conservative, religious and supporters of Franco's regime, when in fact they are immoral and anarchists. The most funny parts are Ana Belén's naïve attempts to seduce the "Chaste Joseph" (Banderas) and get him to marry her, instead of her foolish boyfriend, and her mother's fear that she will stay single for life, as she has already survived three boyfriends.

I recall seeing this movie during its initial New York City theatrical run, probably in 1986, at the Guild 50th St theater which was down the block from Radio City. After this movie, Banderas's movies directed by Almodovar began to get theatrical exhibitions is New York City. Indeed, I long misremembered this movie as being directed by Almodovar and starring Carmen Maura. Though it's not Almodovar and Maura is not present, the movie has all the comic flair of early Almodovar and is well worth seeing.

During post-Spanish civil war (it happened : 1936-1939) , the religious censor (Agustin Gonzalez) and civil censor (Antonio Gamero) detain members of a theatrical company . They are a group of second-rate actors attempting to get out of their wretched lives taking advantage of the artistic caprices of the son of a wealthy man named Roque Collado (Fernando Fernan Gomez) who supports the regime . They attempt to stage a Pre-war 'Zarzuela' titled 'La Corte Del Faraón', at Gayarre theatre . The group finally arrange to perform the 'Zarzuela' but end up in the police station where they confirm that justice depends on which side are you on . There , the police commissioner Vicente (Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez) interrogate them . The rich Roque , his son Tarsicio (Josema Yuste ) , his bride Mari Pili (Ana Belen) explain by means of successive flashbacks it results to be a profitable play : ¨The caste Jose¨ , to get funds for the convent of Saint Donato and authorized by Fray José (Antonio Banderas) . Meanwhile, Mari Pili convinces Fray José to take the role as Casto Jose to fall in love with him .

This film had a fairly large budget in the case of Spanish cinema , being an acceptable comedy seasoned with musical numbers . After five years without filming , Jose Luis Garcia Sanchez is hired by the great producer Luis Sanz , expert on musical genre , to shoot a peculiar version based on popular Zarzuela , which ironically, thirty years later , is too obscene for the regime censorship sort of Spanish operetta , being banned during dictatorship of General Francisco Franco . This is his first collaboration to prestigious screenwriter Rafael Azcona . However , it results in a silly and spoof flick , and it is not among their best works . It is shot in real embarrassment , including ridiculous scenes and being next to caricature more than realism . The best parts of the movie are the choreographic numbers and known songs adapted in theatrical style with roots in popular music of the forties ; recreating the essence of the Zarzuela vintage songs , accompanying sensual melodies and lyrics . It introduces several fragments of the original Zarzuela where highlights turn out to be duets between Antonio Banderas and Ana Belen . It has some moments of enjoyment as well as amusement and others quite a few embarrassing . Regular and unbalanced , but gaining the sympathy almost at all times . Bad timing results to be the voice of the singers with the actors , it is less achieved . Main actors as Antonio Banderas , Ana Belen , Jose Luis Lopez Vazquez , Fernando Fernan Gomez steal the show , interpreters who provided a considerable boost to the result . As well as an awesome support cast such as Millan Salcedo , Luis Ciges , Maria Luisa Ponte , Juan Diego , Guillermo Marin , Quique Camoiras , Guillermo Montesinos , Mary Carmen Ramirez and several others . Many of them play and dance wonderful and classic Spanish songs . The picture is well set in the early Spanish Civil Post-war, in Madrid, during the most hard times of the general Franco dictatorship , being well photographed by notorious cameraman Jose Luis Alcaine .

The motion picture was professionally directed by Jose Luis Garcia Sánchez , though contains flaws , gaps and too much mayhem . He is a notorious writer and director, known for writing : ¨Belle Epoque¨ (1992) for director Jose Luis Garci , ¨Corazon Solitario¨, ¨Furia Española¨ for filmmaker Francisco Betriu , ¨Habla Mudita¨ and ¨Camada Negra¨ for Manuel Gutierrez Aragon . His films debuts were a trilogy of comedies in politic trendy : ¨El Love Feroz¨, ¨Colorin Colorado¨ and ¨Las Truchas¨ (1978) , the latter won Golden Bear in Berlin Festival . He also directed a documentary : ¨Dolores¨ that pays tribute to communist Ibarruri . He subsequently collaborates with Rafael Azcona such as ¨Hay Deshacer La Casa¨, ¨Pasodoble¨, ¨El Vuelo De La Paloma¨ and ¨El Seductor¨ . And two rendition upon Ramon Valle Inclan novels : ¨Divinas Palabras¨ (1985) , and ¨Tirano Banderas¨ , as well as a pair of farceur comedies ¨Suspiros De España¨ (1995) , and ¨Siempre Hay Camino a la Derecha¨ . Furthermore , two historical films ¨La Noche Mas Larga¨ and and Lazaro De Tormes (2001) .

Everyone has their own side of the story. Franco's Entertainment Censorship Commission has a hard bone to chew with EL CASTO JOSE, operetta that, according to them, attacks the family values, church, Franco and even the laws of decency.

The whole ensemble has been taken by the police to be interrogated, and as everyone of them has a different point of view on the same subject, they all say different things and some truths that should have remained secret, come to light.

The young author, inspired by the classic zarzuela LA CORTE DE FARAON, has only expressed his feelings and made another version on the story of José and the Egyptian Pharaoh. Never intending to mock or ridicule the government or the church. But, as each one of them sees only what they want to see, they will stay there until everything gets cleared up. The good this is, they will do it while eating a huge paella, courtesy of Mr. Roque, the author's father.

The comedy is very agile, funny and well written. Banderas, Belén, López Vázquez, Fernán Gómez, and everybody else, are superb. Not to be missed either!

I saw the movie in Madrid when it first premiered and I was amazed. Watched a few more times with friends of mine and all of us kept watching it and using lots of lines as a day to day issue. Also got hooked into Ana Belen's singing career. Very original story and great music (for the ones who love Zarzuela as I do).