 
 1-800-955-5566 
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The Blind SunflowersLos girasoles ciegos
JOSÉ LUIS CUERDA
In Spanish with English subtitles Co-presented with the Embassy of Spain
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1-800-955-5566
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The Blind SunflowersLos girasoles ciegos
JOSÉ LUIS CUERDA
In Spanish with English subtitles Co-presented with the Embassy of Spain
|
The flowers from which this lusty drama takes its name are people who've lost their faith or vocation. In 1940, just after the Spanish Civil War, there are many blind sunflowers in Galicia, in northwest Spain. The most troubled is young Salvador (Raul Arevalo), recently returned to Catholic seminary after serving as an executioner for Franco's fascists. Assigned to teach at a boys school, Salvador develops an overwhelming crush on Elena (Maribel Verdu), the mother of one of his students. Elena is supposed to be a widow, but her leftist husband is actually still alive, hidden in a secret room in the family's home. Salvador's fascination with Elena threatens this arrangement. Adapted from Alberto Mendez's novel, director José Luis Cuerda's film evokes a place of old-world grace and adherence to venerable religious teachings.—Mark Jenkins
