La construcción de un mito: la influencia del cine soviético en Madrid durante la Guerra civil española (1936-1939)

Abstract

The construction of a myth: the influence of Soviet film-making in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939)

The influence of Soviet film-making in Madrid during the Spanish Civil War was more mythical than real. The USSR accounts for only 3,85% of the movies featured throughout the war. Propaganda is not effective because it is not seen. Its movies look like political rallies rather than entertainment and thus the audience is not encouraged to pay to watch them, whereas all trade unions progressively stop showing them: obviously, they do not want empty cinemas. In Madrid, Soviet movies are successful only when they imitate Hollywood narrative.

Received:  29-10-2008