User Reviews

Since the release of the Spanish film, La voz dormida, on October 21st of 2011, the film has received praise and critique from many viewers. Director Benito Zambrano created a post-Spanish Civil War drama focusing on two young women. The film was nominated for nine Goya Awards including Best Film and won two for Best Supporting Actress and Best New Actress in 2012. Adapted from the book La voz dormida written by Dulce Chacón, the film does an excellent job portraying the Spanish novel about 1940s Madrid.

Following the Spanish Civil War, there was still large controversy between Franco's followers and those that rebelled against his ruling. Paulino (Marc Clotet) and Felipe (Daniel Holguín) play the roles of Spanish rebels fighting in the mountains. Hortensia, (Inma Cuesta) wife of Felipe, is pregnant in a women's jail for helping the rebellion. The story line follows Pepita, (María León) sister of Hortensia, in her efforts of helping her sister and the rebels. Hortensia is given the death sentence after her birth, giving Pepita time to do everything she can to save her sister. In the meantime, she and Paulino fall in love after working together.

In general, the film was well directed and executed. For a viewer with limited knowledge on the Spanish Civil War and the politics surrounding it, the plot and production of La voz dormida did an excellent job of portraying the hardships following the war. The entire film was dark and dramatic, allowing the viewer to understand the cold and hard times during this era in Spain. With limited light and happy occurrences in the film, the two-hour long drama was difficult to watch at times. However, the acting through all parts, including the handsome Paulino, brings light into the movie. The emotion in the actors allows the viewer to feel for the characters and understand their hardships. As a viewer that does not enjoy war films, Zambrano does an excellent job drawing viewers in and keeping their attention in this emotional film.

Overall, I highly enjoyed the film. Although at times it was dark and difficult to watch through scenes of hardship and injustice, the film is an excellent portrayal of strong women lead roles in Franco's 1940s Madrid. I have never enjoyed war films, but as a more dramatic portrayal of the war, Zambrano allows viewers to feel the emotional pain of the Spanish people rather than their physical pain. I was left with tears in my eyes and feeling attached to the characters after watching this film. I was also left thinking about the film wanting to watch more. I recommend this movie to those who enjoy mild action, intense emotions, and a little bit of a sappy love story. Combined, these aspects brought the movie together to become a well-rounded film surrounding the Spanish Civil War. As more than simply a war story, the drama brings in many different themes throughout to identify the reality after the war.

I could not take my eyes off the scene throughout the movie.

It is so breath-taking and it throws me into such rage against the inhumanity of the Franco administration. The ending scenes of Hortensia breast-feeding her new born baby before she was taken out to be shot would forever be woven into my mind.

The Spanish Civil War was one of those wars which were largely forgotten. People thought that since the Nazis were defeated, they had achieved their purpose. Perhaps it was not wise to ask for another war to purge the world of the remaining dictator who gave so much sorrow to the Spanish people. But little was done even if we discounted military action.

And in the film, the position taken up by the Church was simply disgusting. There was a line in the film: Spain would be free if there is no more Church or tyranny. Well, one of them is gone. Let us hope the days of the remaining one is numbered.

The performance of Imma Cuesta is just great! And thanks to Benito who brought up another great film for us.

La Voz Dormida was directed by Benito Zambrano and released in Spain on October 21st, 2011. It is the story of Hortensia, a pregnant woman who was imprisoned for her involvement in the guerrilla warfare occurring at the time, and her sister Pepita, who comes to Madrid from Cordoba in order to help her sister. Despite not wanting to be involved in political affairs, Pepita is told to bring documents to Paulino, who is working with Hortensia's husband Felipe. She does so, and eventually ends up falling in love with Paulino after meeting with him several times. Paulino and Felipe are later detained by the police, who then arrest Pepita because they believe she knows them and can lead them to the infamous "Chaqueta Negra," who is really Paulino. They interrogate and torture her in front of Paulino and Felipe before imprisoning her, where she is later released by her employer's father, who is a general in Franco's army. She continues to visit the prison to see Hortensia, who eventually gives birth to her daughter, up until she finds out her sister has been executed. The film ends with Hortensia's daughter being given to Pepita, who tells the audience how Pepita and Paulino's romance turns out. The story takes place in Madrid after the Spanish Civil War, between the years of 1939 and 1963. During this time, Francisco Franco is in power, after his coup d'état in 1936, which resulted in the civil war between the fascists (supported by the right and the church) and the republicans (who were supported by socialists and communists). The movie portrays the injustice prisoners faced while in prison, including taking advantage of the illiteracy of many of the prisoners to force them to sign documents, without allowing those who knew how to read to look over them, and taking newborn babies away from their mothers shortly after birth, and taking poor care of the sick and injured prisoners. The message transmitted in the movie is very powerful, as its purpose is to highlight the mistreatment women faced during these postwar times, and to encourage conversation about it. It does a really good job of transmitting emotions through the various characters, making the audience empathize with them. Despite portraying many of the people who worked for Franco's regime as monsters, it shows that some people worked for Franco out of fear, and those people emphasized with the imprisoned women (such as the woman who allowed Hortensia to see her daughter in her final moments, and brought the child to Pepita once Hortensia had been executed). The movie evokes more than sadness through Pepita and Paulino's love story; although they were only able to see each other a few times, their love is strong, and helps Pepita get through a lot of the struggles she faces. Furthermore, Pepita's romance with Paulino, along with the situation she faces while trying to save her sister from execution, cause her character to change dramatically, from a naïve girl who didn't want any part in politics to a strong woman who would do anything to protect those she loves. The music at times exemplifies the strong emotions felt by the audience, but also makes the plot lighter in tone at times. Furthermore, the original song, "Nana de la hierbabuena," does a fantastic job of conveying Hortensia's love for Pepita and later her daughter. In my opinion, this movie is a must-see for anyone willing to gain an understanding of the sociopolitical climate in Spain after the Civil War. Although it is, without a doubt, romanticized at parts and some people may say it's just another movie about the postwar climate, I think the use of music and emotion was done very well, and it made me want to learn even more about social conditions under Franco's rule, and other nations who faced similar dictatorships. Like they say in the movie, the events that transpired never should have happened, and this movie made me wanted to ensure it never happened again.

Another story set in the grim beginnings of the "New Spain" during the drab winter of 1940, as the victorious nationalists rounded up their defeated opponents to be jailed and in many cases shot.

Where this film differs is that it concentrates on the women, being set mostly in a Madrid prison where we see both republican inmates, some with babies, and the staff keeping them there, who are wardresses under the command of nuns. The role of the church in supporting the regime comes under heavy criticism. That Franco's rule was thoroughly unpleasant from the start is taken as given and even after 70 years little attempt is made at balance, for this is the story of the victims.

Touching moments from the two principals, Inma Cuesta and Marìa Leòn, playing sisters in their late teens who learn painfully what dignity and courage mean. Their men are communist guerillas in the mountains, one of whom is tortured to death and the other sentenced to 30 years.

Sombre prison interiors and grey wintry exteriors convey the gloom that prevails, intensified by a sparse soundtrack. Only occasional flashes of bravery and of compassion lighten the tense oppressive atmosphere.