An innocent young boy forms a special relationship with his primary school teacher while growing up in a country on the brink of war. For Moncho, going to school for the first time is the most terrifying thing in his life at the moment. Scared that he will be hit by the teacher when punished, Moncho enters his classroom with a strong sense of fear. He soon learns that Don Gregorio is unlike any other teacher of the time, a kind old soul that has no intention of hitting his students. They begin a budding relationship where the two learn from each other, mentor to mentor. However, it is also the year of the beginning of the Spanish Civil War where Nationalists invade Moncho's peaceful town in search for Republicans, those who are against their government. Unfortunately, this includes Moncho's father and Don Gregorio. What was supposed to be a blissful time of growing up, is now interrupted by the forces of fear and betrayal. The Spanish Civil War (1936-139) brings the reality of life at the family front to the big screen in La Lengua de Las Mariposas. Debuting in June of 2000, the director José Luis Cuerda cleverly depicts the political factionalism that is slowing brewing in the small Galician town by placing doubt and unfaithfulness in each of the characters. No republican is safe from being exposed by those in their home town. But what makes this movie exceptional is how Cuerda tells the story through a child's eyes. At just eight-years-old, Moncho understands nothing of the war, allowing the audience grow and discover the consequences alongside of him. It is a time of innocence and learning for not just a child, but for all characters in the story, young and old. This movie will for sure spark emotion from anyone who watches this heartwarming coming of age tale. Fernando Ferman Gomez (Don Gregorio) and Manuel Lozano (Moncho) brilliantly complement each other in the roles that they play, with Gomez's charming wit and Lozano's captivating charm. Emerging into the scene at just nine years old, Lozano proves himself to be one of Spain's best child actors of his generation. His innocence and self-discovery is portrayed by his exceptional facial expressions that captures the audience's heart the moment he is first viewed. La Lengua de Las Mariposas is a fantastic family movie for all ages that will surely enlighten some and shed a few tears for others.
Review of Butterfly
