Cria cuervos

Cria cuervos (Cria!)
Directed by Carlos Saura
Written by Carlos Saura
1976/Spain
IMDb page
First viewing/Criterion Channel
1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die

“Raise ravens and they’ll pluck out your eyes” – Spanish proverb

Carlos Saura shows us the darkness and light of childhood in this sad and beautiful film.

The film was made as Francisco Franco lay dying and covers a time shortly before this. The setting is Madrid, Spain.  The story is told as flashbacks within flashbacks, a format I generally dislike but that works very well here.

Our heroines are the three daughters of a fascist officer and his wife (Geraldine Chaplin). Eight-year-old Ana (Ana Torrent) is the central figure and the most highly sensitive of the girls.  Her sisters are maybe twelve and five.  Ana witnesses her father in bed with his mistress shortly before the woman runs out and he is found dead, presumably from a heart attack.

Ana’s adored mother Maria died somewhat earlier in incredible pain, presumably from cancer.  We see her and Ana interacting affectionately in earlier days and also scenes where Ana witnesses her bitter arguments with her father and her painful last days.

Currently the girls are living with their aunt Paulina, Maria’s sister, their invalid grandmother, and Ana’s guinea pig Roni.  Paulina is stricter than their mother was but is struggling mightily to bond with the children.  The children love to be naughty when no one is looking. They play a game of dress-up in which they act out the arguments between their mother and father.

The film flashes back to Maria telling Ana that a jar of powder labeled “baking soda” is a potent poison. Armed with the powder, Ana attempts to redress her grievances.

Ana Torrent was a real find for Saura and she carries the film on her capable, natural shoulders.  Geraldine Chaplin is equally superb.  The children suffer more heartbreak than many people do in an entire lifetime.  The film sensitively explores the inner life of a traumatized child.  Not a fun watch but highly recommended.