Silencio roto

I recently noted that one of the most forgotten men groups in the history about the terrible spanish civil war (1936-1939) are the "maquis". They were the fighters for freedom that resist in the mountains after the General Franco´s victory. They fought till nearly 1950, in several fast hits... they only wanted the liberty for the spanish people, then in the hands of the fascist ideology. But in more than 25 years of pacific democracy and progress, and a lot of movies about that war... very poor was the number of them that spoke about "maquis". Montxo Armendáriz, director of the 1998 Best Foreign Language Academy Award nominee "Secrets from the heart" has done it. It is a truly movie. With very good performances, specially Mercedes Sampietro and Lucía Jimenez, and a good screenplay he has done a spectacular movie for the heart. For the remenbrances. For the people who didn´t know nothing about this phenomenon, and for those that lived it... A song to the liberty... not only a movie.

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 .

After the end of the Spanish Civil War in 1938, Republican guerrillas continued to fight against the Franco government carrying out sabotage actions and executions of Francoist authorities and members of the hated Civil Guard guilty of crimes against civilians. During WWII they substantially contributed to the fight against Nazi Germany and the Vichy regime in France, both as members of the Resistance and as soldiers in the Free French army.

By 1944, with German forces in retreat, the guerrillas refocused their attention on the liberation of Spain. That year, there was an invasion by a maquis force through Val d'Aran and other passes in the Pyrenees with the hope of being supported by the invading Allied Armies in France. However, the Germans were still a formidable menace, the Allied command was wary of opening a new front, and help didn't materialize.

Guerrilla activities intensified right after the end of WWI in 1945. Due to its support for the Nazis during the war Spain was internationally isolated, its economy collapsed, and an uprising seemed imminent. However, the Franco government joined the nascent crusade against Communism and opened Spain to American bases. The enemy now was Communism, and Nazi crimes were discreetly swept under the rug. The Spanish government carried out a savage campaign against the guerrillas where civilians suspected of collaboration were tortured and murdered without trial. Savagery worked, and the guerrillas gradually faded away. All the while the regime suppressed every bit of information about this war, which may be the reason for the title Silencio Roto (Broken Silence).

The movie begins in 1944, with Lucía (Lucía Jiménez) returning to her birthplace, a village in Navarra and getting involved with Manuel (Juan Diego Botto), a blacksmith that acts as contact for the guerrillas and joins them shortly after. However the romance, realistically presented, is not the main subject. Navarrese director Montxo Armendáriz weaves an atmospheric tale of day-to-day life in the village, where guerrilla successes translate in savage reprisals, not reporting suspicious activities may be fatal and where neighbors denounce each other for survival or to avenge old grievances. Cinematography captures skillfully the melancholic landscapes and shady interiors and acting is excellent not only from the principals but from all the supporting cast, with special mention for Maria Sampietro. The movie can be found in the streaming services with the title Time of Honor.

Well done film on the resistance against Francoist dictatorship in countryside Spain between 1944 and 1948. With beautiful historic reconstitution, It is a film focused on those characters, on those neighbors, and on the way they deal with reactionary authoritarian and abusive rule: armed struggle, conceived cooperation with rebels, coward betrayal, or systematic participation in repression. Fears, loves, concerns, it is more a movie about feelings than about action. Then, expect good characters' development and art direction, but not thrilling war action scenes. Those were hard times, as violent illegitimate regime would fall only three decades afterwards. The film express that, despite all the efforts of those brave people.

Don't miss it.

First, I don't know if it's a honour to be the first one to make any statement on that film or just a shame not a person among those who've already seen it (only in Spain I think) made up its mind and write on it. For those who lack some knowledge on Spanish Civil War and Post-War period: some historical facts

Spanish War began 18th July 1936 when the African troops raised against Spanish Republican Gov. Their leader was Franco, who gained his reputation in 1920's colonial war's in Morocco. The Legion and it's leaders were demoralized after what they thought was a shameful withdrawal from Northern Africa. Spain retained two cities (Ceuta and Melilla), and Sidi Ifni (Western Sahara, which was occupied by Morocco after 'Green March' in 1974-75, and this time with a languishing Franco!). Spain became the ground to proof German modern war techniques sustained on persistent plane bombing ('Stukas' made their debut destroying cities loyal to Republic, remember Picasso's 'Gernica'? this Basque village with strong political and historical significance was demolished completely, not a building was standing after the German Luftwafe finished its work). As ever, some countries remained neutral ( mainly France, UK, USA)if it is possible to be so, while others (say Germany and Italy) played an important role in war. From neutral countries came lots (60-70 thousand) of men not only British, American and French but Italians, Germans, Canadians and from all around Europe. But these fighters weren't as well equipped and trained as German and Italian troops that were sent by Mussolini and Hitler. And what about USSR? They didn't mind much, just asked for money to send some weapons and ammunition. No troops. So the Republican side (which had in it's power the main cities and industrial regions in the beginning) couldn't beat the right army. This happened April 1st 1939. If war is thought to be a hard experience, what about some post-war periods? The victors revenged for years against those people belonging to republican families. 10 years after war ended still were thousands in prison. No amnesty. Some people didn't assume that the Coup had won, and they thought that if they resisted until Democratic countries beat Fascism in Europe, they would be helped dethrone Franco's dictatorship. But of course, they were wrong. Democratic leaders were afraid that Spain would became a communist country in line with centre-eastern Europe soviets satellites, so they, again, preferred a right wing government. The guerrillas were called 'Maquis' which is a French word meaning Bush. These commandos existed from 1939 (end of the war) to early 1950's! And is reckoned to be about 5000 men fighting in the countryside (mainly in northern regions) and a much bigger number of people supporting them. The most of the Maquis fighters are died but they were granted recently some political and historical recognition in Spanish Parliament.

The Film. The story runs in a little village in Navarra (close to French border). The main characters are the women ones' the men being just as egoistic as to think only of them and their ideas and to fight for them bravely but not caring for the consequences, at least not always. Quick summary of strong points: The screenplay, it's wonderfully written by also director Montxo Armendariz. He's from the land where it's shot and he's lived the ambient he describes. Lot's of good personages and sequences. Dialogs are also great, mordacious when it comes and also tender, even funny. The main plot line is the Maquis resistance, but there's a lot more underlying like self respect, dignity, love and courage in bad times. It's about people who fall in love like the two youngsters: (Manuel-Juan Diego Botto and Lucía-Lucía Jiménez) the blacksmith whose father is a Maquis and the Inn's owner's (Teresa-Mercedes Sampietro) niece. A story of a mature love affair between Teresa and Don Hilario (a former teacher due to its leftist ideals) that lasts instead of her marriage to a horrible husband. The love of parents for children, like the two old that live in the mountains hoping to see sometime their already died son ( their cabin is like a haven for Maquis were they can get some food, once in a while the supplier brings them a letter written on its own handwriting supposing to be from their son who was shot down time ago). The love too of a Guardia's wife whose always afraid for his life.

The actors and actresses: great, but especially the women. Teresa, Lucía, Lola, Juana, Julia. Are as good when they're leading the scene in close-ups as when they're just filling the screen, standing and hearing the others. They know how to suffer, they're so accustomed to suffer for others... and yet they're still human, deeply human. In war times women have to work twice.

Location, Photography, Score: Perfect. I think the music's a must buy.

Direction: Armendariz's best work. He deserves a 10.If scenes work perfectly and performances are full of shades who's to blame?

There's some flavour of 'film noir' in the final scene when Lucía's leaving the Inn and turns to Lola and says 'Siempre me quedará la duda de si fuiste tu quién les delató' ('I'll always doubt whether it was you that spoke against them'), while Lola's cleaning some glasses and doesn't even utter a word.

I gave it 9/10 (I'm waiting for some years to give it the 10 I think it deserves). BTW: the screenplay's already been published.