The Executioner

José Luis and Carmen, his wife, want a home. This may be a wish not at everyone’s reach, but not for them. They only need for José Luis to inherit his father-in-law’s profession who is about to retire. That’s the one condition from the Housing Board. Overwhelmed by the family commitments, José Luis accepts, convinced he will never have to practise his father-in-law’s profession, who has been an executioner. Through a savagely black humorous tone, The Executioner is a vehement censure of the death penalty, which caused the Spanish government to try (unsuccessfully) to stop it being screened at the Venice Festival and later to order numerous cuts.

G. In Spanish with English subtitles. Free admission.