WHILE AT WAR/ MIENTRE DURE LA GUERRA
Spain, 2019, 107 minutes, Colour.
Kara Elejalde, Eduard Fernandez, Santi Prego, Nathalie Poza, Luis Bermejo, Tito Valverde.
Directed by Alejandro Amenabar.
The war from the title is the Spanish Civil War, focusing on its beginnings in 1936.
The film has as its central character, the writer, philosopher, dramatist, Miguel de Unamuno, a Nobel prize laureate nominee, a strong reputation in Spain, Dean of the University of Salamanca. He is played here by Karra Elejalde, a strong portrait of an elderly man, assertive, arrogant, dogmatic, self-confident, proud of his reputation, and proud of being able to always speak his mind. His dilemma at the outbreak of the Civil War is that he was critical of the Republic, and lost his role at the University of Salamanca, had been restored, but is now under threat from the incoming generals. Some consider that he is still on the side of the generals who want to restore the Republic, critical of socialists. The focus in this film is on his friendship with the Protestant pastor who is arrested and executed, friendship with one of his colleagues who is arrested as a socialist in and executed, the influence of his family (and some visualising of his memories with support from his wife). There is also his conflict with one of the hawkish generals, Millan Astray.
But the film also focuses on Franco, a sequence with him in Morocco and a visit from Nazi representatives, his moving back to the mainland, his shrewdness in biding his time, but his ambitions, clashes with some of the generals but eventually getting their support and becoming their Generalissimo. An interesting portrait by Santi Prego.
The other central character is Millan Astray, wounded in battle, but still hawkish, supportive of Franco, critical of Unamuno, the film showing his influence in the direction of the early part of the Civil War.
A dramatic combination of the film is a meeting of the leaders who will emerge as the fascist leaders of the war, Franco quietly present, Astray voluble and denouncing Unamuno, the Archbishop of Salamanca representing the church and Catholic traditions, and deciding in support of Franco. It is here, some months before Unamuno’s death, that he makes a famous speech (audiences interested in more information would find googling very helpful in giving background to the central characters but also to the authenticity of the speech. And Unamuno is shown as being more and more disturbed by the speeches, especially that of Astray, writing some notes on a letter he received from the Protestant pastor’s wife pleading for her husband, and then standing up and speaking. The conclusion of his speech is often quoted: "[Franco's army] is waging a campaign against liberalism, not against Bolshevism [...] They will win, but they will not convince; they will conquer, but they will not convert."
The film is an interesting look back at the Civil War after 80 years, the retrospective of Franco’s 40 year regime, fascism in Spain, the Nazi connection, neutrality and World War II, the later history of Spain in the 20th century. Audiences will be drawing on their memories of the war from the writings of Hemingway, Orwell and other prominent personalities as well is various movies starting with For Whom the Bell Tolls in 1943.
The film was written and directed by celebrated Spanish director, Leandro, neighbour, rose to prominence early in his career with Open Your Eyes (remade in the US as Vanilla Sky with Tom Cruise), The Sea Inside, The Others, Agora.
1. Audience interest in the Spanish Civil War? In Europe in the 1930s, the rise of fascism?
2. The many novels about the Civil War? The many films, remembering Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell…? The supporters of the Republic, the supporters of Franco, the supporters of the Socialist and Communist uprising?
3. This film’s focus on the beginnings of the war, especially in Salamanca, the reference to Franco in Morocco, the support of the Nazi regime? The proclamations in Salamanca? The University? The reputation of Miguel de Unamuno? His role and influence at the beginning of the conflict?
4. Salamanca, 1936, the opening in the town square and the military proclamations, the world of the University, homes, gatherings in restaurants, the increasing military presence? The scenes in Morocco with Franco? The setting up of the Centre for the generals, the meetings, the background of Catholicism, Franco’s wife and prayer, the Archbishop, the Cathedral? Recreation of the atmosphere of 1936?
5. The focus on Unamuno, his age, reputation, Basque, support of the Republic, criticisms, the overthrow, the emergence of Franco, the criticisms of Millan Astray? The flashbacks to the young Unamuno and his wife, his “habit”, her support, her death? His daughters? His grandson? His imperious manner, self-confidence, the opinionated, philosopher, the arts, his status as Dean of the University? His previous loss because of his politics? The reinstatement? The challenge to him at the outbreak of the war?
6. His friendships, the Protestant pastor and the conversations, his fellow academic, the gatherings, drinking, the response to the proclamations? The second meeting, the clash, the pastor hurt, his leaving, his being arrested, Protestant and Freemason, Unamuno visiting his wife, her concern, his promise, his interceding with the generals, the pastor’s death? His wife and her grief, coming to him for money, a letter – and his writing his famous and quoted speech on the letter? His academic friend, the past, interactions, his arrest, execution?
7. The focus on Franco, his role in the military, in Morocco, his friends and their advancing him? The portrait of the other generals, their plans, strategies, politics, the Republic, the issue of support from Germany, Franco at the meetings, his personality, his wife and daughter wanting to pray, biding his time? Building up support, the other generals, the general opposed to him, the confrontations, eventually signing the paper? Franco emerging as leader? His personality, relationship with his wife and daughter? With the other generals, with Astray?
8. Astray, forceful, hawkish, his speeches, with the troops, wanting action, disdain for Unamuno? His tactics, supporting Franco?
9. The pressure on Unamuno, resuming his role as Dean, the attitudes of his daughters, his treatment of them, his grandson? The rest and death of his friends? His previous politics, philosophy, growing disdain of fascist attitudes?
10. The final meeting, the confrontations, the various speeches, militancy, Franco, the Archbishop and his support, Unamuno rising to speak, his notes, his criticisms of the persons and their attitudes, the importance of his speech, concave and convex, fascism and communism as extremes, ‘They will win, but they will not convince; they will conquer, but they will not convert.’?
11. The aftermath, Unamuno and his health, dying soon after?
12. A retrospective on the Civil War, after 80 years? The relevance of this retrospective in view of the war itself, World War II, Franco ruling till 1975, the aftermath for Spain, and into the 21st-century?
