South from Granada (2003)

Al sur de Granada (English title: South from Granada) is a 2003 film written and directed by Fernando Colomo, based on the book by Gerald Brenan. Goode stars as Brenan, a demobilized soldier who in 1919 rents a house for a year in a village in Alpujarra.

Colomo was inspired to make the film after seeing the character of Brenan appear in another film: Carrington, about Dora Carrington. In that film, Carrington was played by Emma Thompson and Brenan by Samuel West.

Matthew Goode did not know who Brenan was upon taking the role, since Brenan is more familiar to the Spanish than the English. Goode did not speak Spanish, but read Brenan's biography and learned to imitate the phonetic sounds of Spanish.

Synopsis

Brenan arrives at Yegen on foot, interrupting the funeral held for the daughter of the local cacique. He collapses from dysentery and soon learns that the local cacique, Don Fernando, is leaving for Granada with his wife. Brenan rents Fernando’s house for a year and soon enlists the services of María as housekeeper and cook and becomes friends with a local man named Paco. Brenan spends most of his time reading, walking, and trying to write poetry.

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