La blanca Paloma (1989)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Juan Miñón

Writers:

Manolo Matji (screenplay)
Manolo Matji (story)

Release Date:

16 January 1990 (Spain)

Genre:

Drama

Awards:

4 wins & 3 nominations

Cast

Francisco Rabal	...	Domingo
Antonio Banderas	...	Mario
Emma Suárez	...	Rocío
Mercedes Sampietro
Sonsoles Benedicto	...	Adela
Perla Cristal	...	Maite
Esther Velasco
Carlos Kaniowsky
Carlos Manuel Hussey
Enrique Escudero
Daniel Trepiana
Ramón Barea
Paco Catalá		(as Francisco Catalá)
Pablo Guibert
Javier Inglés

Also Known As:

The White Dove

MPAA:

Rated R for language, sexuality, a rape scene and some drug use.

Runtime:

100 min

Country:

Spain

Language:

Spanish

Color:

Color (Fujicolor)

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Spain:18

Filming Locations:

Bilbao, Vizcaya, País Vasco, Spain

Soundtrack:

La gata bajo la lluvia

A Dramatic, Bizarre and Tragic Love Story During a Disturbed Period of Spanish History

Antonio Banderas is a 'basco', who lost his brother somehow and is fighting against Spanish forces through violent public manifestation. It is not clear whether he belongs to ETA or just to some popular protest movement. He meets the sensual Emma Suaréz, the Spanish daughter of an owner of a small bar, and falls in love with her. Her mother is very ill and her father (sexually) abuses of her. This dramatic and bizarre love story will end in a tragic way. The screenplay of this movie is very confused. The movie begins with a conflict. There is no explanation for the viewer where, when and why this conflict is happening. The reference to the city is never mentioned, but certainly is located in Vizcaya, Guipuscoa, Alava or Navarra, provinces where basis live in Spain. The friends of the character of Banderas seem to belong to ETA, but there is no clear reference in the movie. The period also is not clear whether it is during or after Franco dictatorship or probably during the government of Felipe González. The viewer (like me) who is not aware of the political situation of Spanish and Bascos in details will certainly not understand most of the problems and conflicts showed in the movie. In my point of view, a movie with intention to be distributed worldwide should provide some political and geographical reference for its public. My vote is five.

Title (Brazil): "A Branca Paloma" (The "White Paloma")