The Making and Unmaking of Francoist Kitsch Cinema

'Yarza takes us on a scintillating journey, from the grandiose construction of Francoist kitsch as ideology dreamed on the cinema screen to its puncturing, dismantlement and exorcism in key films. Sustained by brilliant, intuitive close readings, the book also offers the opportunity for wider reflections on the phantoms and residues stalking the construction of Spanish cinema images.'
Sarah Wright, Royal Holloway, University of London
In Fascist Spain, Francoism - like German and Italian fascism - produced its own particular brand of kitsch. Deploying religious and historical iconography drawn from Spain's centuries-long struggle against Islam, Francoist ideologues created a kitsch interpretation of Spain's past designed to replace more complex and nuanced accounts. In this Francoist representation religious and historical iconography combined with kitsch aesthetics to project a picturesque, clichéd image of Spain. The ultimate goal of this vast production of Francoist kitsch was to produce a submissive subject who, by identifying with Francoist aesthetics, would identify with state ideology.
This book engages with the making and unmaking of Francoist kitsch aesthetics through the analysis of Spanish cinema. It examines five highly influential Francoist films produced between 1938 and 1964 and three films - by critically acclaimed directors Luis Buñuel, Guillermo del Toro and Álex de la Iglesia - that attempt to undermine Francoist aesthetics by re-imagining its visual and narrative clichés.
Alejandro Yarza is Associate Professor in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese and Core Faculty of the Film and Media Studies program at Georgetown University.
Cover image: Saturn Devouring His Son, Francisco Goya, 1821/23 © akg-images / Rabatti - Domingie
Cover design: Yarza Twins and Paul Smith
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ISBN 978-0-7486-9924-7
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