The dark legacy of the Spanish Civil War--specifically, the execution by Franco’s nationalist forces of tens of thousands (including poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca), whose remains were buried in mass graves that still dot the peninsula--is examined in Andrea Weiss’s fine documentary. The centerpiece of the film is the search for Lorca’s resting place, which inspires a biographical sketch of his life, complete with scholarly assessments of his importance both as a writer and as a symbol of the repression that the regime practiced not only against socialists but also homosexuals. This leads to a broader treatment of the government’s policies of summary execution and mass imprisonment, bolstered by testimony from survivors and family members who have undertaken a campaign against the "culture of silence" that has prevailed in regard to the brutality of Franco’s four-decade rule ever since his death in 1975. Combining its two major themes, Bones of Contention explores the gay liberation movement in Spain, as well as the controversial demand that the thousands of mass graves be excavated in order to bring a semblance of closure to those still mourning the deaths of loved ones. Weiss combines archival footage with commentary by experts and literary figures to provide historical context and an understanding of Lorca’s place, while also personalizing the narrative with extensive interviews of survivors who discuss how they suffered under the dictatorship and are still struggling for justice. A fine documentary about a 20th-century tragedy that still casts a long shadow over contemporary Spain, this is recommended. Aud: C, P. (F. Swietek)
Bones of Contention
(2017) 75 min. In English & Spanish w/English subtitles. DVD: $348. Icarus Films. PPR. Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 3
Bones of Contention
Star Ratings
As of March 2022, Video Librarian has changed from a four-star rating system to a five-star one. This change allows our reviewers to have a wider range of critical viewpoints, as well as to synchronize with Google’s rating structure. This change affects all reviews from March 2022 onwards. All reviews from before this period will still retain their original rating. Future film submissions will be considered our new 1-5 star criteria.
Order From Your Favorite Distributor Today: