Montxo Armendariz film about an episode of the Spanish history is interesting, but at the same time it is very confusing, as proven by the samples heard after the projection at the recent film cycle at the Walter Reade theater in New York.
Most of us in the audience obviously knew about some of the history that is shown in the film, but not enough as the first person, Ossanser, from Valencia, Spain who wrote the first commentary on the opening page . That is why at times we are lost in trying to think how was it possible to see the rebels fighting when both the Civil War and World War II were over.
The film was interesting to watch, but there are a lot of loose ends that are not resolved, as far as we are concerned.
Loved the women in this film the best. Lucia Jimenez, Mercedes Sanpietro and Maria Botto were very restrained. It's about the best quality I find with Mr. Armendariz's films, in contrast with some other Spanish directors, he's the captain of the ship and nothing seems to be out of place, contrary to other 'geniuses' from Spain who sometimes let the cast get away with murder.
One can only wish the best to this director in future films.
