Bécquer and the Witches
(Bécquer y las brujas)
Elena Cid Sebastián | Documentary
2018 | 82 minutes | Spain
An exploration of Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer's "Letters from My Cell" and the witchcraft legends of Trasmoz, blending history, mysticism, and poetry.
Synopsis
Bécquer and the Witches is a historical documentary that delves into the work of renowned Spanish poet Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, particularly his "Letters from My Cell" (1864), with a focus on letters VI, VII, and VIII, inspired by the mystical legends surrounding Trasmoz, “The Village of the Witches.” Burdened by health problems, Bécquer retreated to the Monastery of Veruela, where he immersed himself in the mysterious landscape of Mount Moncayo and uncovered a world of ancient legends.
The documentary weaves Bécquer’s romantic spirit and literary legacy with the historical realities of witchcraft and its persecution. It explores the origins of the witch hunts, the lesser-known medieval Inquisition, and the misunderstood role of women accused of witchcraft—healers and herbalists condemned for their knowledge. As it sheds light on the only officially cursed village in Spain, excommunicated to this day, it also reveals a new side of Bécquer: an innovator captivated by the supernatural.
Reviews
“The other face of Bécquer: From the poet of rhymes to the witchcraft of Trasmoz.” – Belén Molleda, La Vanguardia
Citation
Main credits
Cid, Elena (film director)
Cid, Elena (film producer)
Cid, Elena (screenwriter)
Berkovitz, Germán (film producer)
Mendez, Daniel (film producer)
Contreras, Laura (actor)
Gómez-Lacueva, Laura (actor)
Martínez, Rubén (actor)
Other credits
Cinematography, Beltrán García Valiente; editing, Elena Cid; music, Ralph Killhertz.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Biography
Culture + Identity
History
Iberian Studies
Literature
Religion + Spirituality
Sociology
Women
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Zaragoza Film Festival - Augusto Aragonés Visions of History Award; Madrid Film Festival - Special Young Jury Mention for the Best Spanish Feature Length; Regina International Film Festival; Huesca Film Festival
DIRECTOR: Elena Cid Sebastián
NATIONALITY: Spain
YEAR: 2018
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: Middle School, High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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