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Film by FFWD Staff butterfly Starring Fernando Fernán Gómez and Manuel Lozano Directed by José Luis Cuerda Opens Friday, July 14 Plaza Theatre It would do North Americans a bit of good to understand what atrocities occurred during the Spanish Civil War in order to appreciate the guarded observations of director José Luis Cuerda in Butterfly. It’s a film that doesn’t stir up as much politics and war as it could have, instead Cuerda paints a more austere portrait of pre-Franco Spain – a land of mixed opinions and strong traditions and a country about to rip at the seams. Don Gregorio is the retiring teacher of a northern Spanish village. He’s also an open atheist and suspected communist, and he takes on an intricate and intimate relationship with young Moncho, the son of a tailor. Moncho’s asthma has rendered the boy shy and frightened of social contact, but through Don Gregorio he soon learns the power of knowledge and the spiritual beauty of the natural world. Both Moncho and his sax-wielding brother soon discover their own forms of love as the Spanish countryside weaves its magic. Their discoveries of the joys of living grow while the fabric of the Spanish political system gradually tears apart. Don Gregorio is an icon in the village and when he retires, he leaves the village – and Moncho especially – in tears. The Republicans soon fall and are replaced by the Fascists. Moncho, his family and Don Gregorio are caught in the upheaval. In order to survive, everyone’s sentiments are forced to change. Based on a collection of short stories by Manuel Rivas, Butterfly is being touted by Miramax as the next Life is Beautiful. As a film, it is more reflective and less humorous and contrived than Benigni’s film. Butterfly resembles Fellini’s Amarcord with the backdrop of the Spanish Civil War thrown in. Performances are outstanding. Spanish legend Fernando Fernán Gómez, whose career spans five decades, is solid yet subtle. He never tries to usurp the far younger Manuel Lozano, who is as cute as he is good. The production is equally as handsome. A lush music score and beautiful photography mesmerizes the senses while the period Spanish village used as a location adds the pastoral touch. In the end, it is director Cuerda’s mature hand that brings all the elements together in Butterfly. He has directed many television movies and recently served as producer on two unusual and highly recommended Spanish thrillers, Thesis and Open Your Eyes. His experience provides a solid foundation for the film. While his low-key approach may prevent Butterfly from being a runaway hit, the realistic portrait it provides should be ample compensation to its distributors.

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