Dramatic picture about the consequences of Spanish civil war , Maquis or Republican guerrillas , the anti-Franco resistance and many other things . "Broken Silence", adapted from a screenplay by the same director Montxo Armendáriz , being realized with academicism and general coldness ; adding a splendid , luxurious photography with juicy atmosphere . This slow-moving and intelligent picture is well set in Spain of the 40s . It happens in Winter, 1944 , a heavily wooded valley of the River Urrobi called Valle Arce . Lucía (Lucia Jimenez) at 21 returns to her small village in the Pamplona mountains to live with her uncle (Pepo Oliva) and aunt (Mercedes San Prieto) . She again meets Manuel (Juan Diego Botto), a young Blacksmith who helps "those in the mountain", the "maquis", these brave Guerrilleros go on battling for their ideas , even at the cost of their own existences . Then , a traitor informs about resistance fighters and Manuel is chased by Franco's Civil Guard (Joseba Apaolaza , Jordi Bosch) . Later on , he escapes to the mountain along with other members (Ramon Barea , Patxi Bisquert , among others) of guerrilla and Lucía uncovers the terror , vengeance , fear , treason and the broken silence.
¨Silencio Roto¨ or ¨Broken silence¨ results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background and Franco epoch . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema .This interesting historical story is a passionate retelling and a touching as well as intense drama . Armendariz , also writes the script and filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement , including the reality of political repression , betrayal , accusation and political facts by that time . This is a Spanish average budget production and obtained enough success in the box-office . The main problem has to face "Silencio Roto", beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging , which eventually become monotonous over two hours of footage . Because the story needs a vibration more real than the one offered in this slow-moving and sometimes boring film . But anyway, its is compensated with the great performances from main and support cast specially . Agreeable acting by starring couple who plays an enjoyable love story in which beautiful Lucía/Lucia Jimenez is attracted to a young iron-smith Manuel/Juan Diego Botto , because of his smile and the bravery . Secondary players are frankly excellent ; as a magnificent support cast of known and prestigious players , such as María Botto , Rubén Ochandiano , María Vázquez , Patxi Bisquert , Pepo Oliva , Jordi Bosch and special mention to veterans as Ramón Barea , Alvaro De Luna , Mercedes San Pietro , Asunción Balaguer , Francisco Rabal's wife and , in addition , Manuel Lozano , the starring boy in ¨Secretos del Corazón¨ .
Besides , a spotless pictorial cinematography by Guillermo Navarro , Guillermo Del Toro's ordinary cameraman , and a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space . A colorful picture , including marvelous frames , being mostly filmed at Arrieta, Vizcaya , Lusarreta, Navarra, Saragüeta, and Villanueva de Arce, Navarra, Spain . Sensitive and emotive musical score by Pascal Gaigne . The picture achieved various prizes such as Butaca Awards 2001 Best Catalan Film Actress : Mercedes Sampietro , CEC Award Best Supporting Actress Mercedes Sampietro , Nantes Film Festival 2002 Won best director and Nominated Goya Best New Actor Rubén Ochandiano .
Well directed film by Montxo Armendariz , including his own story and screenplay , who tried to create an agreeable flick plenty of sensitivity and sometimes violent confrontation between Maquis and Guardia Civil by tackling an evocative description about a particular period in Spain history . The motion picture perfectly produced by producers Puy Oria and Montxo Armendáriz was professionally directed by the latter , a very good Spanish movies director . Armendariz directed a series of award-winning movies firmly establishing him as one of the best Spanish filmmakers and an expert on literary adaptations . Montxo is a well recognized filmmaker both nationally and internationally, and in proof of it he won many awards in several Festivals . Montxo Armendáriz was born in Navarra, Pamplona , and his films are mostly set in this Spanish region . He is a nice writer and director, expert on dramas , being especially known for Tasio (1984) , 27 hours (1986) , Cartas a Alou (1990) , Secretos del Corazón (1997), (2001) Obaba (2005), No Tengas Miedo (2011) and this Silencio Roto or Broken silence .
