Some films go far above and beyond expectations delving into uncharted realms, reflecting a potent cinematic artistry that can actually move 'hearts & minds' = "The Spirit of the Beehive" form Spain's Victor Erice is such a masterwork!
How this movie is able to generate such power, on the obviously miniscule budget, utilizing unseasoned actors, presented on sparse and simplistic sets/ staging, with minimal dialog and almost no 'action' to speak of is a wonder? The 'messages' in this film are also transmitted in highly muted symbolism and even enigmatic fashion (indirectness & subtlety are the order of the day). And yet the sheer power of the stark images and emotional resonance is deeply impactful, long-lasting and undeniable!
The story takes place in the direct aftermath of the Loyalist defeat in the dreadful-days of Spanish Civil War, circa1940. The Landscape is one of physical & emotional desolation, as the naturally abundant spirits of joy & wonderment seem to have completely vanished, replaced by the insect-laden, mindlessly unimaginative 'spirit of the beehive'
Ana is a six year-old who lives with parents = her mother Teresa who constantly dreams of a long-lost-love, and father Fernando content to study those mindless bees + mischievous older-sister Isabel. Ana's imagination really begins to take-flight after watching a traveling-movie-showing of the 1931 American-classic horror: 'Frankenstein'! Ana is completely captivated by this creature, and Isabel convinces her that the monster's spirit will visit whenever Ana closes her eyes and 'dreams' (i.e. when she calls out: "it's me Ana")
Meanwhile, in the unforgiving 'real' World, the horrors of the civil War materialize as a wounded Republican soldier escapes/ seeks refuge in a small farmhouse on the family property. Ana is the first to befriend the wounded soldier/ 'monster' and the first to show sympathy (eventually lending the loyalist soldier her father's coat & watch). Unfortunately, this wounded resistance-fighter is eventually discovered and executed by the 'real' monsters (i.e. General Franco's bloodthirsty fascist army). This creates a sense of trauma in Ana's mind, and she subsequently wanders the forest eventually 'seeing' Frankenstein's haunted/hunted image beside her, thru a reflecting pool.
Though this is a much quieter, more subdued & subtle film, there are definite thematic Links between this movie and Guillermo del Toro's spectacular "Pan's Labyrinth" (and I believe "Spirit of the Beehive" might have served as a critical creative inspiration.) Since both truly superlative films deal with the concept of lost innocence in a time of intense cruelty/emotional desolation + the inexplicable power of human imagination to somehow cope with (try to make sense of) the barrage of unsympathetic 'senseless' events and the brutally immutable circumstances of history,
I won't pretend to make sense of the myriad symbolism inherent to this masterful film work (and you would probably need to be an expert on the history of Spain and their civil-war to derive all the multiple-meanings). But the intensely haunting nature of this movie can definitely stop you in your tracks (at least for 97 minutes) = grateful for each-Day lived beyond the grasp of the mindless "bee-hive"!
How this movie is able to generate such power, on the obviously miniscule budget, utilizing unseasoned actors, presented on sparse and simplistic sets/ staging, with minimal dialog and almost no 'action' to speak of is a wonder? The 'messages' in this film are also transmitted in highly muted symbolism and even enigmatic fashion (indirectness & subtlety are the order of the day). And yet the sheer power of the stark images and emotional resonance is deeply impactful, long-lasting and undeniable!
The story takes place in the direct aftermath of the Loyalist defeat in the dreadful-days of Spanish Civil War, circa1940. The Landscape is one of physical & emotional desolation, as the naturally abundant spirits of joy & wonderment seem to have completely vanished, replaced by the insect-laden, mindlessly unimaginative 'spirit of the beehive'
Ana is a six year-old who lives with parents = her mother Teresa who constantly dreams of a long-lost-love, and father Fernando content to study those mindless bees + mischievous older-sister Isabel. Ana's imagination really begins to take-flight after watching a traveling-movie-showing of the 1931 American-classic horror: 'Frankenstein'! Ana is completely captivated by this creature, and Isabel convinces her that the monster's spirit will visit whenever Ana closes her eyes and 'dreams' (i.e. when she calls out: "it's me Ana")
Meanwhile, in the unforgiving 'real' World, the horrors of the civil War materialize as a wounded Republican soldier escapes/ seeks refuge in a small farmhouse on the family property. Ana is the first to befriend the wounded soldier/ 'monster' and the first to show sympathy (eventually lending the loyalist soldier her father's coat & watch). Unfortunately, this wounded resistance-fighter is eventually discovered and executed by the 'real' monsters (i.e. General Franco's bloodthirsty fascist army). This creates a sense of trauma in Ana's mind, and she subsequently wanders the forest eventually 'seeing' Frankenstein's haunted/hunted image beside her, thru a reflecting pool.
Though this is a much quieter, more subdued & subtle film, there are definite thematic Links between this movie and Guillermo del Toro's spectacular "Pan's Labyrinth" (and I believe "Spirit of the Beehive" might have served as a critical creative inspiration.) Since both truly superlative films deal with the concept of lost innocence in a time of intense cruelty/emotional desolation + the inexplicable power of human imagination to somehow cope with (try to make sense of) the barrage of unsympathetic 'senseless' events and the brutally immutable circumstances of history,
I won't pretend to make sense of the myriad symbolism inherent to this masterful film work (and you would probably need to be an expert on the history of Spain and their civil-war to derive all the multiple-meanings). But the intensely haunting nature of this movie can definitely stop you in your tracks (at least for 97 minutes) = grateful for each-Day lived beyond the grasp of the mindless "bee-hive"!