SCORPION IN LOVE/ ALACRAN ENAMORADO

Spain, 2013, 100 minutes, Colour.
Alex Gonzalez, Miguel Angel Silvestre, Carlos Bardem, Judith Diakhate, Javier Bardem.
Directed by Santiago Zannou.

Scorpion in Love is based on a novel by Carlos Bardem, who appears as the boxing trainer in this film. It is a film about neo-Nazis and their racist and violent attacks on ethnic groups whom they consider alien, despise their different languages, and are envious because of employment and unemployment situations.

They are under the guidance of an armchair fascist who directs his followers with rabble-rousing speeches. Interestingly, he is played by the brother of the novelist, international star, Javier Bardem.

However, a great deal of the action focuses on boxing, with the central character, one of the diverse disaffected young men attracted by what he sees in the gym, especially with a black boxer, and asks if he can train. He has a talent, and is ultimately successful. But he has to come to terms with his behaviour, the pressure from his brother, the influence of the leader whom he ultimately confronts and denounces.

He is also attracted to the woman who works at the gym in all kinds of jobs and they begin a relationship. Matters come to a head when she is bashed by the young man’s brother.

The film is an opportunity to think about neo-Nazi and vicious-style groups in Europe and the 21st century.

1. A Spanish film, the author and his novel, his performance in the film? His brother appearing in the film?

2. Contemporary Spain, society, Neo-Nazis? The boxing world? Prejudices, sense of humanity?

3. The introduction, Javier Bardem and Solis, his speech, philosophy, his followers, age, young, Fascist? Solis and his hold over the young men and?

4. Issues of race, employment, language, culture? Spain at the beginning of the 21st century?

5. Julian, in himself, his family background, the disciple of Solis, participating in the attacks, his brother, the brutality? His prejudices, going to the gym,
watching the boxing, Frankie and skills? Carlomonte and his being the coach, discussions with him, Julian wanting to train, the reactions? Parliament, his career, his coaching work, his associates? The gym, discussions with the owner, giving Julian a chance, despite his reservations? Frankie being black? Frankie and his being bashed, Julian going to see him at home, with his children?

6. Julian and the training, developing skills, with the Frankie, ready for fights?

7. Luis, the German, the attacks, the brutality, the ideology, the bashings? Luis and his taunting Julian?

8. Alyssa, working at the gym, receptionist, cleaning? Wanting the photos for the document? Julian, his change of heart, courting, going to her home, the sexual encounters, his bigoted attack on the landlord?

9. Alyssa and the physical attack on her, Luis, Carlomonte telling her to say that he was drunk? Julian not believing? Angry? Wanting revenge? The confrontations?

10. Carlomonte disappearing, leaving the gym to Julian?

11. Julian, confronting Solis, taunting him, criticising his leadership, ideas, the money, his comfortable life, denouncing him as a cult leader?

12. Carlomonte watching television, Julian and his success, in the fight, different person?