SPIRIT OF THE BEEHIVE
SPANISH CLASSIC
A young girl’s obsession with Frankenstein mirrors real world horrors in this world cinema classic.
The year is 1940 and the Spanish Civil War is coming to its end. In a small village, six-year-old Ana (Ana Torrent) becomes obsessed with the film Frankenstein when it is shown at her local cinema. While Ana looks for fictitous monsters, there are plenty of real ones around in the aftermath of the recent conflict.
The allegorical nature of Spirit Of The Beehive hid its real intent on first release in the fascist Spain of the 1970’s. It has become one of the most acclaimed Spanish films ever made and was a major influence on Oscar Winning director Guillermo Del Toro and his seminal work Pan’s Labyrinth. As we await the release of Erice’s acclaimed new film Close Your Eyes, what better time to revisit this world cinema classic.
“Those who haven’t seen it since the ’70s may find themselves amazed all over again by its lyrical potency and grace; those who have never seen it may wonder how it can be that a film this great isn’t shown somewhere all the time”
– Detroit Free Press
Mon 18th Sept – 7:00pm
The Roses
98 mins
Country: Spain
Language: Spanish
Year: 1973
Genre: Drama
Recommended: 12+
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Director: Víctor Erice
Cast: Ana Torrent, Fernonado Fenan Gomez, Teresa Gimpera
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