Las Hurdes (1933)

A surrealistic documentary portrait of the region of Las Hurdes, a remote region of Spain where civilisation has barely developed, showing how the local peasants try to survive without even the most basic utilities and skills.

Director:

Luis Buñuel

Writers:

Luis Buñuel (commentary), Luis Buñuel

Stars:

Abel Jacquin, Alexandre O'Neill

Cast

Credited cast:
Abel Jacquin	...	(voice)
Alexandre O'Neill	...	(voice)

Storyline

In this documentary short by director Luis Buñuel he travels to Las Hurdes, a remote region of Spain which was connected to the outside world only in 1922 with the completion of a road. The residents of the area - spread across several villages - lives in poverty and in isolation from the outside world. They survive mostly on a diet of potatoes and beans with meat available only a few days a week. In fact, they eat goat meat only when one of the animals dies. Inbreeding results in a disproportionately large number of people with mental disabilities. The title refers to the fact that the residents did not know how to make bread.

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Plot Keywords:

poverty | surrealism | death of baby | bee attack | animal death | 

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Genres:

Documentary | Short

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Details

Country:

Spain

Language:

French

Release Date:

December 1933 (Spain)

Also Known As:

Las Hurdes

Filming Locations:

Las Hurdes, Cáceres, Extremadura, Spain

Company Credits

Production Co:

Ramón Acín

Technical Specs

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Luis Buñuel was not above slaughtering several animals to deliver his message; he ordered the ailing donkey to be spread with honey so he could film it being stung to death by bees. Nor was the mountain goat falling off the mountain an accident, shot by Buñuel's crew for the desired sequence.

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Connections

Edited into Origins of the 21st Century (2000)

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Soundtracks

Fourth Symphony
(uncredited)
Written by Johannes Brahms

User Reviews

Version important

I have been frustrated by the version of the film that is available in my area, entitled "Unpromised Land". The original "Tierra sin Pan" has a completely different commentary which is made "politically correct" in the "Unpromised" version. Avoid "Unpromised Land" as it censors and alters the original intent of the film as conceived by Bunuel!