The Disenchantment (1976)

El desencanto (English: The Disenchantment ) is a 1976 Spanish documentary film written and directed by Jaime Chávarri about the family of famous poetry writer Leopoldo Panero. It tells the story of the Panero's family told by themselves twelve years after the death of patriarch Leopoldo Panero, poet of the Franco regime. The documentary is based on the testimony of the remaining four members: the poet's widow, Felicidad Blanc, and the couple's three sons: Juan Luis, Leopoldo Maria and Michi. In their intertwined testimonies, they deal with family relations, the weight of their share past and about themselves.

El desencanto was made as the Francisco Franco's regime was ending and was released during the Spanish transition to democracy becoming a symbol of the decadence of the Fracoist family. El Desecanto is considered a seminal work among Spanish documentaries and has achieved cult status.

Twenty years later Ricardo Franco made a second part, Después de tantos años (After so many years) (2004). By then the mother has already died, but the three brothers were interviewed.



^ Torres, Diccionario Espasa Cine Español, p.170

^ Torres, Diccionario Espasa Cine Español, p.

Synopsis

The Panero is an illustrious traditional family from Astorga with literary links extending for generations. The patriarch, Leopoldo Panero, was the best regarded poet in Spain during his time. He died suddenly of a heart condition in 1962. Twelve years later, his widow, the still beautiful and elegant Felicidad Blanc, in the company of two of her sons Juan Luis and Michi, is shown in an outdoor homage to the late poet.