El crimen de Cuenca
Encyclopedia
The Crime of Cuenca is a Spanish
drama film
(made in 1980), directed by Pilar Miró
and based on historical facts which happened in the early 20th century in the Spanish province of Cuenca
. El Crimen de Cuenca is also the title of the book published at the same time by the author of the movie script, (Lola) Salvador Maldonado. in which she retells the same historical facts on which the movie is based. The film was entered into the 30th Berlin International Film Festival
.
His family fears foul play and reports it to the Guardia Civil (police). In the subsequent judicial investigation the family and others express their suspicions that two men, Gregorio Valero and Leon Sanchez had killed him for his money. This first case is closed in September 1911 without any convictions.
In 1913 a new, young and overzealous, judge by the name of Isasa arrives. Influenced by the local boss and right-wing politician, Judge Isasa decides to reopen the case. The two suspects are arrested by the Guardia Civil and, under torture, confess to having killed the man and destroyed the body. The fiscal (district attorney) asks for the death penalty for both accused men. The case takes its time in the court system and finally, on 25 May 1918 a popular jury declares the two men guilty of murder and they are sentenced to 18 years in prison. After having served a total of eleven years, they are released under a general pardon on 20 February 1924,.
Two years later, in early 1926, it is discovered by chance that the reputed victim, Jose Maria Grimaldos, «El Cepa», is alive and had been living in a nearby town. The ugly truth is thus revealed and the innocence of the convicted men becomes evident.
With many legal difficulties, the case is reopened and after much delay it finally reaches the Supreme Court, where the convictions are overturned.
, wrote the novel El lugar de un hombre (The Place of a Man) in 1939 and later, in 1979, Pilar Miro directs the movie based on the same facts while, at the same time, the author of the movie script, (Lola) Salvador Maldonado, publishes a book with the same title as the movie and telling the same story.
The movie is a very strong allegation against torture and it is understood that the crime it refers to in the title is that committed by the Guardia Civil (police) in torturing the suspects.
The torture scenes are depicted in great detail and crudity and the movie was initially banned in Spain and the director subjected to military court martial. Finally, in August 1981, the film was allowed to be shown in Spain and was a box office success.
Cinema of Spain
The art of motion-picture making within the nation of Spain or by Spanish filmmakers abroad is collectively known as Spanish Cinema.In recent years, Spanish cinema has achieved high marks of recognition as a result of its creative and technical excellence...
drama film
Drama film
A drama film is a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, infidelity, moral dilemmas, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, class divisions, violence against women...
(made in 1980), directed by Pilar Miró
Pilar Miró
Pilar Miró was a Spanish screenwriter and film director.She directed TVE from 1986 to 1989, and in the 90's, the weddings of the daughters of King Juan Carlos I. In 1992, her film Beltenebros won the Silver Bear for an outstanding artistic contribution at the 42nd Berlin International Film...
and based on historical facts which happened in the early 20th century in the Spanish province of Cuenca
Cuenca (province)
Cuenca is a province of central Spain, in the eastern part of the autonomous community of Castile-La Mancha.-Guide to the area:Located in a natural setting of beauty, the Old Town of Cuenca occupies a superb site between two river gorges. Famous are its 15th Century "hanging houses" , that appear...
. El Crimen de Cuenca is also the title of the book published at the same time by the author of the movie script, (Lola) Salvador Maldonado. in which she retells the same historical facts on which the movie is based. The film was entered into the 30th Berlin International Film Festival
30th Berlin International Film Festival
The 30th annual Berlin International Film Festival was held from February 18 to February 29, 1980.-Jury:* Ingrid Thulin * Betsy Blair* Mathieu Carrière* Alberto Isaac* Peter Kern* Károly Makk* Alexander Mitta* Alexandre Trauner...
.
Historical facts
On 21 August 1910, in the small town of Osa de la Vega, in the province of Cuenca, Jose Maria Grimaldos, known as «El Cepa», is seen for the last time on the road to the nearby village of Tresjuncos and then disappears.His family fears foul play and reports it to the Guardia Civil (police). In the subsequent judicial investigation the family and others express their suspicions that two men, Gregorio Valero and Leon Sanchez had killed him for his money. This first case is closed in September 1911 without any convictions.
In 1913 a new, young and overzealous, judge by the name of Isasa arrives. Influenced by the local boss and right-wing politician, Judge Isasa decides to reopen the case. The two suspects are arrested by the Guardia Civil and, under torture, confess to having killed the man and destroyed the body. The fiscal (district attorney) asks for the death penalty for both accused men. The case takes its time in the court system and finally, on 25 May 1918 a popular jury declares the two men guilty of murder and they are sentenced to 18 years in prison. After having served a total of eleven years, they are released under a general pardon on 20 February 1924,.
Two years later, in early 1926, it is discovered by chance that the reputed victim, Jose Maria Grimaldos, «El Cepa», is alive and had been living in a nearby town. The ugly truth is thus revealed and the innocence of the convicted men becomes evident.
With many legal difficulties, the case is reopened and after much delay it finally reaches the Supreme Court, where the convictions are overturned.
The film
Based on these facts, writer Ramón J. SenderRamón José Sender Garcés
Ramón José Sender Garcés was a Spanish novelist, essayist and journalist.-Life:Ramón J. Sender was born in Chalamera, Huesca Province in the autonomous region of Aragon in Spain. In 1923 he was obliged to serve in the Spanish military and take part in the Spain Morocco Rif War, which lasted from...
, wrote the novel El lugar de un hombre (The Place of a Man) in 1939 and later, in 1979, Pilar Miro directs the movie based on the same facts while, at the same time, the author of the movie script, (Lola) Salvador Maldonado, publishes a book with the same title as the movie and telling the same story.
The movie is a very strong allegation against torture and it is understood that the crime it refers to in the title is that committed by the Guardia Civil (police) in torturing the suspects.
The torture scenes are depicted in great detail and crudity and the movie was initially banned in Spain and the director subjected to military court martial. Finally, in August 1981, the film was allowed to be shown in Spain and was a box office success.
Cast
- Amparo Soler LealAmparo Soler LealAmparo Soler Leal is a Spanish film actress.She was married to Adolfo Marsillach from 1954 to 1956, and to film producer Alfredo Matas from 1969 until his death in 1996.She has worked specially with Luis García Berlanga....
- Varona - Héctor Alterio - Isasa
- Daniel Dicenta - Gregorio Valerio Contreras
- José Manuel Cervino - León Sánchez Gascón
- Mary Carrillo - Juana
- Francisco Casares - Taboada
- Eduardo Calvo - Amo
- José Vivó - Don Rufo
- Félix Rotaeta - Secretario
- Guillermo Montesinos - José María Grimaldos López 'El Cepa'
- Pedro del Río - Alvarez-Neyra
- Mercedes SampietroMercedes SampietroMercedes Sampietro is a Spanish actress.Her debut on stages was in 1979, and in cinema, seven years later, with Jaime Chávarri's A un dios desconocido...
- Alejandra - Nicolás Dueñas - Juez primero
- Antonio Canal - Labarga
- Juan Jesús Valverde - Jáuregui