Libertarias (1996)

An epic tale of the Spanish Civil War, LIBERTARIAS focuses on the role that women played in the conflict. Maria (Ariadna Gil, known in Spain for her success with roles deemed impossible for other actresses) is a nun forced to flee her convent when the war brings troops to Barcelona. She hides in a brothel, where she meets and unites with a women's organization to assist with the war effort against Franco's fascists, and thereby secures the rights for their sex. Through her experiences Maria encounters many women from various social groups and occupations, and learns that they are all united in being oppressed merely because of their gender. LIBERTARIAS concentrates on how the struggle for freedom and civil rights during the Spanish Civil War took on special meaning for women. The film was nominated for six Goya Awards in 1996, and director Vicente Aranda (best know internationally for his film AMANTES aka LOVERS) took home the Special Jury Prize at the Tokyo Film Festival.