Watch Bones of Contention

Bones of Contention is a gripping documentary about the Spanish Civil War and the ongoing legacy of Franco’s Fascist regime, which ruled the country from 1939 to 1975. Directed by Andrea Weiss, the film charts the untold history of those who were persecuted, murdered, and otherwise oppressed during this dark period in Spanish history. Through interviews with experts and survivors, as well as archival footage and photographs, Bones of Contention sheds light on the human cost of the war and the long road to justice and reconciliation.

The film begins by framing the Spanish Civil War as a defining moment in modern European history. As fascism spread across the continent, Spain became a battleground for competing ideologies and political movements. After a bloody three-year conflict, General Francisco Franco and his Nationalist forces emerged victorious, ushering in a dictatorship that would last for nearly four decades. The film argues that the effects of this period are still felt in Spain today, from the ways in which the war has been remembered and memorialized, to the ongoing efforts to locate and identify the remains of those who were killed.

One of the key themes of the film is the importance of memory and remembrance. Weiss makes the case that, in the aftermath of conflict and violence, the process of coming to terms with what happened is essential to moving forward as a society. She highlights the various ways in which memories of the war have been actively suppressed or erased by the Franco regime and its successors, from the destruction of cultural artifacts to the erasure of entire communities from the historical record. At the same time, the film celebrates the resilience and persistence of those who have fought to keep these memories alive, whether through the creation of memorial sites, the gathering of oral histories, or the simple act of speaking truth to power.

Another key focus of the film is the search for justice, particularly through the recovery and identification of the bodies of those who were killed during the war and its aftermath. As the film shows, the Franco regime made a deliberate effort to erase evidence of its crimes, often burying or hiding victims in unmarked graves. For decades, the families of the missing have been fighting for the right to find and bury their loved ones, a task that has been made all the more difficult by government resistance and bureaucratic obstruction. Bones of Contention follows several such families as they navigate this process, highlighting the emotional toll it takes on those involved and the political and legal hurdles they must overcome.

The film also sheds light on the ongoing political and cultural struggles in Spain over how to remember and memorialize the war. In the years since Franco’s death, different groups have sought to honor or condemn his legacy in different ways, often leading to heated debates and clashes in the streets. Bones of Contention explores a range of perspectives on this issue, from those who argue that the past should be left in the past, to those who believe that Spain cannot move forward without coming to a reckoning with its history. The film leaves it up to the viewer to decide what the best path forward might be.

Overall, Bones of Contention is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant documentary that offers an important contribution to our understanding of the legacy of the Spanish Civil War. Through powerful visuals and stirring storytelling, the film brings the human cost of conflict and repression into sharp relief, while also highlighting the courage and determination of those who have fought to preserve the memory of those who were lost. For anyone interested in the history of modern Europe and the ongoing struggle for justice and reconciliation, this is a film not to be missed.

Bones of Contention is a 1994 documentary with a runtime of 48 minutes.