El sur

The South

Víctor Erice’s visually stunning masterpiece about a girl’s confusion about her beloved father’s secret life, set in northern Spain in the 50s.

  • Director

    Víctor Erice

  • With

    Omero Antonutti, Lola Cardona, Sonsoles Aranguren, Icíar Bollaín, Aurore Clément

  • Spain-France 1983. 95min

  • Digital

  • Certificate

    PG

  • English subtitles

Northern Spain, the 1950s: Estrella adores but is mystified by her father, particularly about his obscure history in the South… Though budgetary cuts meant that Erice could not complete the film as planned, The South remains a masterpiece, a visually stunning exploration of family secrets that takes in politics, romance, magic and cinema. A film of revealing rhymes and intriguing echoes, it’s utterly enthralling.

See a Relaxed screening of El sur on Monday 22 April.

Also available on BFI Player