Raza

Until recently, I wasn’t aware that Spanish dictator Francisco Franco ‘s novel, Raza, was made into a movie in 1942. Not surprisingly, it’s pure propaganda. It tells the story of a Spanish gentry family – three brothers -- divided by the civil war. I won’t give much away. But ultimately, the film’s theme is racist, pushing the idea that pure blooded Spaniards are a military elite, who defend the church and traditional values. Franco’s racism was not the same as the Nazis’, but the themes of blood, superiority and destiny are all there. These ugly ideas will no doubt end up in mouths and heads of Equi’s opponents in the next book. I find believers can be more frightening and loathsome than cynics when it comes to villains. What happened to Franco’s movie is a story in itself -- for another time.

See the BBC by following the link below.