Watch Bones of Contention

Bones of Contention is a Spanish documentary film directed by Andrea Weiss. The film explores the emotional and political landscape of Spain during the Franco dictatorship and the lasting impact it had on the country. The film's title is a reference to the numerous bodies that were forcibly disappeared during the Franco regime and the ongoing efforts by their families and activists to uncover the truth about their fate. The film begins by introducing the audience to the plight of those who still search for their loved ones' remains decades after their disappearance.

Through a combination of archival footage, interviews with historians and activists, and personal stories of affected families, Bones of Contention transports the viewer into the heart of a country torn apart by a violent and oppressive regime.

The film's central focus is the treatment of LGBT individuals under Franco's dictatorship. It uncovers a little-known aspect of Spain's history in which homosexuals were imprisoned, tortured, and even executed for the 'crime' of their sexual orientation. Through the stories of several LGBT activists and survivors of the Franco regime, as well as historians and other experts, Bones of Contention shows how some individuals fought back against the regime's violence and discrimination.

One of the film's most compelling moments is an interview with a former political prisoner, who shares his harrowing story of being imprisoned and tortured for seven years because he was gay. He describes in detail the physical and psychological torture he endured, and the bravery he and his fellow prisoners exhibited by organizing protests and other acts of resistance within the prison walls.

The film also sheds light on the role of the Catholic Church in supporting the Franco regime and its persecution of LGBT individuals. Weiss provides a nuanced portrayal of the complicated relationship between the Church and the fascist regime, and its legacy in contemporary Spain.

Throughout the film, Weiss masterfully weaves together the personal stories of those affected by the regime with the broader societal and political context in which these events took place. She shows how the legacy of the dictatorship still looms large over Spain, in spite of the country's transition to democracy in the 1970s.

Bones of Contention is a powerful and emotional documentary that sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of Spain's history. By giving voice to the victims of Franco's dictatorship, the film challenges viewers to confront the dark side of their own history and to consider the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation.