TO AN UNKNOWN GOD

Spain, 1977, 100 minutes, Colour.
Hector Alterio, Angela Molina.
Directed by Jaime Chavarri.

To An Unknown God is an interesting and well-made Spanish drama. It opens with the pre-Civil War period and touches on the atmosphere of Spain prior to Franco's takeoever. The film, however, focuses on themes and Spain after Franco. it seems to imply some comment on what had happened to Spain and society, government, moral issues during Franco's reign. The film focuses on human beings and their personal dilemmas. This is particularly so in the case of Jose, the central character, who is homosexual. The film offers a portrait of a homosexual, not in any sensationalist way or even judgmental manner. Rather, it focuses on a man, his growing up and background, the happiness in his life, the torment and his having to cope with it. He also tries to delve into his past. The film also has fine characterisations of the people in Jose's life. The film highlights the loneliness of the homosexual in contemporary society. The film is interesting, compassionate and certainly raises many social issues in a way that is fruitful for reflection and discussion.

1. The title of the film - the reference to God, the Spanish background, the mystery of the meaning of life, the mystery of relationships and homosexuality? A valuable exploration of human nature, the life of a homosexual?

2. The film's analysis of human beings, human nature, society? Relationships, isolation, aloneness and loneliness?
3. The film as an example of the work of the Spanish film industry of the '70s, style, colour photography, score? Themes and their treatment?

4. The mood of the prologue: The pre-Franco Spain, Granada and its atmosphere of wealth, enjoyment, indolence? The colour photography suggesting memories and far-off days? The violence intruding with Jose's father's death? The implications about the Civil War, Franco's regime, the forty years of Franco's power and the aftermath? Soledad as a vivacious young girl, her liveliness, relationship with Pedro, Jose, Federico? Lyrical enjoyment, the bike-rides, the games of the young people? Soledad surviving all the years and being seen in the contemporary setting? Soledad being the link between past and present? Pedro and his illness, homosexuality, friendship with Jose, fascination with Federico? Relationship with Soledad? The fact that he was about to die? Jose as a young boy, of different social status, the bike rides, friendship with Pedro, the sexual intimacy? Federico as an ethereal figure, playing the piano? The sudden intrusion of the violent death into this world?

5. The sudden transition to the contemporary world? The jolt for the audience? The need to go back, to understand what had happened in the meantime? Soledad and her surviving in Granada, her place in society, her memory of the intervening years, her point of view on the past? The importance of Jose meting her and discussing the past with her? Her stories of Pedro, his relationships, his death? Federico and his place in the past? The importance of the old homosexual whom Jose encounters, the loneliness and the need for a sexual encounter, the memories of Federico and Pedro? Jose and his decision to visit Granada, his going into the house, his looking from the windows, his trying to understand the past, Pedro, himself? The effect of this journey on him?

6. The portrait of Jose, an ordinary man, as an entertainer, the details of his cabaret act, the hypnosis, the magical tricks, the cards? How well were these presented - especially with Miguel and his girlfriend? Jose and his relationship with his sister, his free discussion of himself and relationships with her, his friendship with her children? The importance of his friendship with Jorge, seeing him in the lift, on the stairs, Jorge's visit to him and curiosity? Jorge's mother and seeing her in the church at Benediction, the discussions about Jorge, their lives, loneliness, her proposal? Jose and his visit to the film club, the meting with Miguel, taking him home? The nature of the relationship, how much friendship, love, need? The night together? How well did this illustrate their being with one another? Miguel and his girlfriend and Jose's curiosity, jealousy?

7. Jose and his returning home alone, his listening to Federico's poetry with its homosexual themes, relationships to Walt Whitman? The repetition of this at the end in Miguel's presence and the pointed ignoring of him? A framework for the transience of relationships, Jose's loneliness? Indications for his future?

8. Jose and the peace gained by the visit to the past? His ordinary manner of living., relating, understanding people, his own needs? The encounter with Miguel's girlfriend and his feeling of betrayal?

9. Society as seen by an outsider? The emphasis on differences? The importance of Jose's managing of his life. his pride, his personal integrity?

10. The value of the film as a study of people? The insight into the homosexual in society, empathy, rights?