prison 77

Francisco Franco is dead, his dictatorship at an end. The inmates of the Modelo prison in Barcelona are cut off from the social and political upheavals of 1976-78. Outside, the new democracy is breaking ground, inside the old guards rule with arbitrariness and violence. Here Manuel awaits his trial, never to be scheduled. Time and again he witnesses how inconvenient cellmates disappear. For the prisoners organise themselves for their rights. And while colour television sets are introduced across the country, the cries for “Libertad!"; resound louder through the merciless walls.

Alberto Rodríguez' MARSHLAND arrested ten Goyas, PRISON 77 is now pleading for another triumph at the Spanish Oscar with 16 nominations. Once again, the director captivates us with an impressive reappraisal of the post-Franco era. Shot on location, PRISON 77 both reminds and warns us how hard democracy has to be fought for and what deep wounds terror regimes tear into the collective psyche of a nation.