Search - A Love to Keep on DVD

Women in Franco's Spain

Amos Lassen | Little Rock, Arkansas | 06/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"" A Love to Keep"



Women in Franco's Spain



Amos Lassen



"A Love to Keep" (Picture This Entertainment) is

an epic lesbian love story historically set in Fascist Spain--a period of overt homophobia and social oppression. It is the story of Pilar and Elvira and their love which endures during one of the most turbulent historical periods. The film is based on a true story of what two women went through as Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco, grabbed absolute power.

The women are teachers in Spain during the final years of Franco's dictatorship. In the beginning they met, became friends, then roommates and ultimately soul mates and lovers. In Franco's Spain, homosexuality was illegal and because of this they were forced to end their relationship. Pilar's mother institutionalizes her when she discovers that her daughter is a lesbian even though her husband objects. In fact, the mother tells the doctor to do whatever he can to cure her of her feelings for women

Elvira searches for Pilar and writes letters to every asylum in Spain and pleads with Pilar's parents to tell her where her lover is but gets no help. Ultimately she finds the hospital on her own but she is not allowed to enter and this incident almost destroys her.

Elvira manages to pull herself together and continues to teach but cries and pines for her lover. Pilar, on the other hand, is suffering greatly. She is forced into behavior modification as well as being isolated as part of her therapy. The treatment drains her of feelings and her own will and she suffers relentlessly. When she finally convinces her doctor that she no longer is attracted to women is she finally released and given over to the custody of her parents. They severely restrict her activities and she is no more than a sad shadow of her former self.

Elvira shows up at Pilar's parent's house quite unexpectedly and Pilar's mother sends her away but all is not lost. Pilar's father sees the broken Elvira and he refuses to allow any more injustice to continue. He secretly gives Pilar some money and shows her how to escape and thereby find the happiness that she should have. Pilar finds Elvira and they revel in their love quite openly and they both realize that times have changed for the better. Unfortunately, however, the years of mistreatment and torture have taken their toll on the women--both mentally and physically. Even though the two are very much in love, the ordeals they have been through do not leave them and their bond is tested.

The cast is absolutely wonderful. Carmen Elias is Pilar and Susi Sanchez is Elvira and they are very, very convincing as the two women who pay a very high price for love. The cinematography is beautiful and the music is sublime. The extras on the DVD include a featurette on the making of the film as well as cast interviews.

"A Love to Keep" is not an easy movie to watch. I found it reminded me of the period when being gay or lesbian was regarded as having a mental illness. Nevertheless this is an important film as it documents feelings and Franco's intolerance in Spain.

"

A Love to Keep - an excellent historical depiction

C. Skidmore | Williamsburg, VA | 09/08/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I cannot imagine a movie of this quality and honesty being made in this country. A Love to Keep is an excellent picture of how lesbianism was viewed and persecuted in our not too distant past. Through a series of flashbacks we see the lives of two women in love through their happiness and tragedy. We also see the historic progress from persecution to greater acceptance and the cost to the individuals involved. The story is well knit and well acted. My thanks to the Spanish director and actors who have brought this film to life."

A very disturbing movie. But a must see.

IndecentAngel | NYC area | 08/03/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A loving but yet sad and very disturbing movie.

After the movie you will find yourself holding & loving your partner even more."