La lengua de las mariposas

This film reminded me of the film "La lengua de las mariposas" (apparently translated "Butterfly" - 1999).

There was a similarity in the political climate: the 1999 film is set in Spain during the brief period of government by the Frente Popular, right before the civil war (1936). The tensions between left-wing, progressive ideas and the conservative nationalists/militarists are showing strong in the background of both movies.

Also, both movies are coming of age stories and both protagonists are boys from a protected environment who are just beginning to know the world. The character of Don Gregorio in La lengua de las mariposas is very similar to the character of Father McEnroe in Machuca, although the former has a much bigger role in the movie. Both stories are very sad but beautifully told.

~*~