Living Utopia

In 1996, the director visits the reunion of the 1936 social revolution in Spain. The guests are old and grey, but still appear to have a burning passion for the main cause, anarchism. By telling the stories of these social pioneers, the film emphasizes on the social changes and the political developments that have resulted in the rise of Franco and the Spanish Civil War. Extensive interviews with the old laborers and anarchist members are beautifully combined with black and white footage from the era of the revolution.

Political Relevance

On April 14, 1931 the Spanish monarchy was declared overthrown and a provisional government took power. In the ensuing years, the second Spanish republic became increasingly divided between the extreme left and the extreme right. In the elections of February 1936, the left won a clear majority. Unhappy with the left being in power, generals Goded, Mola, and Franco decided to overthrow the government. Franco was proclaimed head of the Nationalist government on September 29, 1936. The Spanish Civil War between the Republicans and the Nationalists lasted until 1939 when finally the Nationalists prevailed.