A documentary about the International Brigades.   Duration   1hr 23’ 55”

 

Co- Directed by Margaret Dickinson & Pepe Petos

 

With the participation of former Brigaders:  Bob Doyle,

Jack Edwards and Jack Jones.

 

Narration read by Maxine Peake

 

Original music composed by Seanine Joyce

Next London screening:  Thursday September 18th 6.30pm at the
Rich Mix Cinema 35 – 47 Bethnal Green Road
London E1 6LA  (Tube: Aldgate East/Old Street )

 

This thought provoking reflection on the Spanish Civil War of 1936-1939 is born of a collaboration between two filmmakers – one Spanish, one British.  From their different perspectives both ask the question, “What does the history mean now, if anything?”

 

Their story revolves round a visit made in 2006 by a party from Britain, to mark the 70th anniversary of the formation of the International Brigades, foreign volunteer units in the Republican army.   Among the group were British and Irish veterans of the war and many descendants of brigaders.

The highlight was a walk over the Pyrenees from France to Spain, following one of the paths the volunteers took in secret, at night, when the frontier was closed.

 

Around this event the filmmakers weave a reflection on the past, the memory of the past and the present in which it is remembered.