Spanish Cinema Day: Embrujo

On the 6 October, we are celebrating the third edition Day of Spanish Cinema, which pays tribute to and commemorates Spanish cinematic heritage by recovering works of special significance due to their connection with various audiences of their time. It also aims to present films with unique qualities that grant them an esteemed place within our cinema.

This year, we are screening Embrujo, directed by Carlos Serrano de Osma and starring Lola Flores and Manolo Caracol, both indisputable stars of flamenco music and dance.

Contrary to being associated with the typical Spanish films of that era, the team behind the Boga production company opted for a direction and an aesthetic proposal that engaged with the visual aspects of cinematic expressionism. This was achieved through staging and editing grounded in the cutting edge of early 20th-century European cinema.

Thus, this 1947 film stands as a rarity where the most revolutionary expression of flamenco on stage intersects with cinema that aspired to be groundbreaking and unconventional. As expected, this approach received a bittersweet response from the audience of its time, who were more inclined towards conventional cinema.

Viewed through a modern lens, Embrujo is a cinephile gem and a snapshot of a moment when one of the most fervent folk roots of the 20th century – flamenco – found its expression through the dominant medium of the time – cinema.

Moreover, Embrujo serves to celebrate the centenary of the birth of the great Lola Flores. Following this film, she embarked on a remarkable career in Spanish popular cinema and various stage performances, and later in television, ultimately becoming a true legend of Spanish culture.

The screening will be introduced by Duncan Wheeler, Professor at the University of Leeds.