Wartime drama about political idealism centered on a group of revolutionary women perfectly played by a Spanish all-star-cast . Barcelona , at the outbreak of the Spanish Civil War, the nun Maria (Ariadna Gil of Pan's labyrinth) is forced to escape her convent. She takes refuge in a brothel (Angeles Martin , Loles Leon, Maria Pujalte , Isabel Ruiz De la Prada , among others) run by a Madame (Claudia Gravy) , until it is liberated by a woman (Ana Belen) accompanied by his anarchist group (Laura Maña , Blanca Apilanez) . Maria joins the group and unites the Republican troops against the General Franco army ; later on , she eventually goes to the front of Aragon . The women's group takes on the problems of battling not only the nationalists, but also factions on the left seeking to impose a more traditional military structure . Then occurs confrontation between FAI, CNT , AIT , anarchists followers of the leader Durruti (who gave name to the Column Durruti , here well played by Hector Colome), regular troops of the Republican government, Stalinists and Troskists.
This interesting historical story is a passionate retelling and a touching warlike drama . The film originated an intense discussion in Spain about its principal theme , the Spanish Civil War . ¨Libertarias¨ results to be other of the innumerable stories to deal with dramatic deeds regarding the Civil War background . A familiar theme about the global horrors of a fratricide war , impossible to forget to our cinema . "Libertarias¨, adapted by the same director from a story by Román Gubern and José Luis Guarner whom is dedicated the movie . Vicente Aranda also writes the script and being filmed in his usual formal and stylistic scholarship , without leaving a trace the thought-provoking issues , in terms of dramatic and narrative excitement .The main problem has to face "Libertarias", beyond not being able to avoid falling into the politic pamphlet is precisely derived from the coldness of its staging, which eventually become monotonous over two hours and some of footage . This is a Spanish big budget production and obtained much success in the box-office . Excellent female cast forming a powerful human group of women and giving excellent interpretations . Very good support cast playing revolutionary women and men such as Blanca Apilánez as Aura , Laura Mañá as Concha , Loles León as Charo , Jorge Sanz as Obrero Hijo , José Sancho as Obrero padre , Antonio Iranzo , Antonio Dechent, Enrique Villen , among others . Perceptible , sensitive as well as evocative musical score by Jose Nieto . Including a spotless pictorial cinematography by Jose Luis Alcaine , Pedro Almodovar's usual, he carries out a photography with juicy atmosphere , being filmed in Madrid, and Vic, Barcelona, Catalonia . Jose Luis Alcaine is deemed to be one of the best Spanish cameraman with a long artistic career .Furthermore , a willingness , almost perfect of the elements of each shot , every sequence, every space .
The motion picture was lavishly produced by the great producer Andres Vicente Gomez , being well directed by veteran filmmaker Vicente Aranda . He directed a series of award-winning movies firmly establishing him as one of the best Spanish filmmakers . Vicente is an expert on literary adaptations , he has been working from the 60s with ¨Fata Morgana¨ , Las Crueles¨ and ¨Novia Ensangrentada¨ . His greatest successes were intense dramas with plenty of sex such as ¨Amantes¨, ¨Pasion Turca¨ , ¨Si Dicen que Cai¨ , ¨Intruso¨ , ¨Tiempo de Silencio¨ , ¨Carmen¨ , and specially the historical story titled ¨Juana La Loca¨.
