Next to his death , a Vatican Cardinal (Fernando Rey) returnrs from Rome to his origin Castillian village to see his brother (Francisco Rabal) and meet his unknown daughter (Victoria Abril) who he had to the father's maid (Emma Penella) to inherit his belongings and lands . But his daughter results to be a prostitute nicknamed ¨La Cardenala¨ and things go wrong .
This is a sordid and thought-provoking story about family relations , including absurd as well as ironic elements . It has some ridiculous remarks and pieces of nonsense , but it makes up for splendid performances from a great main cast . It follows the usual genre pertaining to the literary type created by Don Ramon Maria Del Valle Inclán . Interesting and provoking script by Angel Fernandez Santos and director Francisco Regueiro himself , both of whom wrote a trilogy about parents-descendants relationships . The first was this ¨Padre Nuestro¨(1985) from a religious view point , it continues with ¨Diario De Invierno¨ based on biological relations and the third: ¨Madregilda¨ that regards a complex political plot aboutFrancisco Franco played by Juan Echanove . It packs a colorful and evocative cinematography by Juán Amoros . And atmospheric musical score by Jaime Aragal , including song by Manzanita and classic
Sonata by Schubert .
The motion picture was well directed by Francisco Regueiro. Francisco Regueiro was born in 1934 in Valladolid, Castilla y León, Spain. He is a writer and director, known for Padre nuestro (1985), Madregilda (1993) and El buen amor (1963). He belonged to New Spanish Cinema with El buen
Amor¨(63) , and
Amador¨(65) that was strongly censored . The great producer
Elias Querejeta produced him some films as ¨Si Volvemos a Vernos¨ - Smashing up- and ¨Carta
de amor de un asesino¨.After that , he made
documentary , televisión drama as ¨Cuentos y Leyendas : La niña que se convirtió en rata¨. later on , he made the flop ¨Me envenenó de azules¨. Shortly after , producer José Frade financed him ¨Duerme , duerme mi amor¨and ¨Las Bodas de Blanca¨, but both of them failed at the boxoffice . Then , he leaves the filmmaking for painting
during 10 years . Although , thanks to Law Pilar Miro returs
direction with this trilogy .
