A story about Spain

Rating: 10/10 (20 March 2007)

Some Mexicans, only some are as well versed in Spanish history as Americans are on British history; usually those of us whose grandparents were Spanish and lived that period of time in Spain. I don't know much about the director's relation to Spain, and he might even rebuttal my interpretation on his work. What I see in this fairy tale is the recent history of a country that went through a most traumatic period in time. The Spanish civil war lasted from 1936 to 1939 (a brutal prelude of what WWII was to be like). This came after of almost a century of continuous downfall from what was once the most powerful empire for almost 300 years. Napoleon's occupation of the peninsula, the loss of its colonies, the Spanish American war, were more calamities its pride could take. Through disappointment of its traditional institutions Monarchy, Church and Military- many hasten the country to radical swift changes towards the left. This caused the right to react with overwhelming violence. Franco's Nationalists after defeating the Republican side composed of democrats, socialists, communists, laics, etc.- wisely kept his distance to his old Axis friends during the World War but convinced allied victors he wound be a useful ally against the communist during the coming cold war, the nationalists survived as a regime until the death of the generalissimo in 1975. A process of democratization was begun under King Juan Carlos I. Back to our story the princess is attracted to a new light and world, like Spain is to the 20th century modern dogmas promises of a better society. But the brightness blinds her and she forgets who she really is. The war has blinded Spaniards and they've forgotten the fact they are brothers & sisters. The emotionless scenes where both sides make sure fallen enemies are truly dead by shooting them again and not taking prisoners, if only to torture them, states the sort of hatred the country has fallen into. It is wishful thinking that a rebel group would actually defeat a government force. One cannot see this as a reality fact but a metaphoric result of what will come eventually to Spain. Liberty and democracy will return, but it's not the freedom fighters who will do this, they were actually defeated or migrated elsewhere, but Captain Vidal surrendering his son to the freedom defenders hints us what truly comes to happened, it's the children of the phalanges who restore democracy in the end when Franco died. They brought back the wishes of their fathers' enemies, a fairer and more just society. The return of Ofelia (Spain) to her kingdom can only occur with her death first. Mercedes morning for Ofelia, indicates that a unbearably long while will pass by. All who fought would have died before the new blood can rebuild the realm. The young offspring must not know if their fathers where nationalist or republicans for the future to work for them. Middle East hatred has endured because Jews, Muslims and even Christians know very well who they are. Ofelia's refusal to sacrifice her brother is Spain's hope in the future even if that means it will have to endure uncertain fate and the cruelty of the fascists and even death. Death is pretty much present in this story because a fact is so many did die, to many, to a point where it's death that taught everyone a better way had to be found. A lesson many learned but many forgot. If ever the return of a King Arthur, a Flower of Scotland, a Quetzalcoatl happened to someone it turned true for Spain.