LOS OJOS VENDIDOS

Spain, 1978, 110 minutes, Colour.
Lola Cardona, Geraldine Chaplin, Carmen Maura.
Directed by Carlos Saura.

Los Ojos Vendidos is a film by one of Spain's most prolific and respected directors, Carlos Saura. In the '70s he made such films as Cria Cuervos and a number of films with his then wife Geraldine Chaplin. During the '80s he made a number of flamenco dance films including Carmen and Blood Wedding.

The film is an attempt at psychodrama, a message film about repression and torture during the Franco regime - in terms of narrative as well as dramatised events presented theatrically. Geraldine Chaplin portrays the would-be actress caught up in the work of a director and living the part of a victim of torture.

The film is an early critique of the Franco regime - a trend that continued in Spanish films feeling liberated after Franco's death - and continuing into the '90s.

1.Spanish atmosphere? The '70s? The film as a memoir and critique of the Franco regime? The work of Carlos Saura?

2.The city, outdoors - but the interiors and the apartments, theatre, hall? The classical music score and its mood and commentary?

3.The title, the reference to torture, the focus on the woman, the psychodrama?

4.The speeches in the theatre, the dramatisation of the torture? The Spanish background, the personnel on the panel, the speech, performance - and the final massacre?

5.Juan and his work, the memories of his youth, his aunt and his work, the coal? The transition to the theatre, his success? Teaching and classes? His control - and loss of control? The relationship with Amelia and Manuel? The visit to the dentist? Amelia leaving her husband, the beginning of the affair? His illness and going out into the countryside, thinking that he would die? The drama and his training of Amelia, coaching her to make the speech about the torture? His empathy with her? His being bashed? His death?

6.Amelia, her marriage, wanting to act, her tension at the lessons, unable to let herself go, gradually loosening? Her leaving her husband, her moving in with Juan, the affair? Its effect? Her performance, identifying with the woman who was tortured? The drama of her speech? Her death in the massacre?

7.Manuel, his work as a dentist, the relationship with Amelia, Amelia leaving him, his antagonism towards Juan, later helping him?

8.The portrait of the actors, the drama classes? Their performance in the theatre piece?

9.The issues of the '70s, the memories of the Franco regime, questions of conscience and justice?