| BUTTERFLY La Lengua de las Mariposas |
1999 - Spain
Director: José Luis Cuerda - Reviewed by Kelly 
The Spanish Civil War has always held a certain appeal to me. In large part because it so clearly defined the conflict of left and right wing ideologies that dominated the time period. The almost religious zeal with which both fascist and communist political factions pursued and implemented their doctrines has inspired dozens of brilliant films over the years: 1900 (Bernardo Bertolucci, 1976), Reds (Warren Beatty, 1981), The Power and the Passion (Sam Wood, 1943) and many others. Butterfly is the latest addition to this long line of films based around this turbulent time in Europe. Butterfly is set in Spain just prior to the rise of fascism and the fall of the weak but liberal Republican government. It is the story of a young boy Moncho (Manuel Lozano), innocent and shy, who is befriended by an aging and idealistic teacher Don Gregorio (Fernando Fernan Gomez). Set in a small town, already rife with political polarity and suspicion, Butterfly tells the story of a community's descent into chaos and repression as seen through the eyes of a child. Filled with wonderful touching moments, this film is beautifully and simply composed. There are few dramatic political or historical scenes. Instead, the film is filled with dozens of every day life experiences and has the wisdom to portray the characters in a very imperfect and vulnerable light. Yet there is a tension throughout revealed in a few scattered scenes that set the stage for the film's ultimately dark message. Butterfly is not so much a political or historical feature, but is instead a story of innocence lost in the face of trying and difficult times. I am left feeling warmed by the wonderful characters and images of the small Spanish town—but also with a strong sense of the darker side of human nature and the ever elusive and tenuous peace experienced by Europeans in the 1930s. |
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