In the Company of Women (2023) by Silvia Munt: A Youthful Awakening Amidst Spain's Fight for Abortion Rights

Short Summary: Love, Activism, and the Fight for Freedom in Post-Franco Spain Silvia Munt's In the Company of Women transports viewers to the transformative summer of 1976 in the Basque Country, just months after Franco's death. It follows 16-year-old Bea as she is swept into a burgeoning feminist movement advocating for legal abortion. Amidst this pivotal fight for women's rights, Bea discovers unexpected feelings for Maider, a slightly older girl from a privileged background. As their special friendship deepens into love, a hidden secret of Maider's forces Bea to confront the harsh realities of the adult world and the enduring struggles for freedom and solidarity.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt21957904/

Link Review: https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/in-the-company-of-women-malaga-review/5180331.article

About movie: https://www.thefilmcatalogue.com/ru/films/in-the-company-of-women

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/au/movie/las-buenas-companias (Australia), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/las-buenas-companias (France)

Detailed Summary: A Young Woman's Coming-of-Age in a Nation in Transition In the Company of Women is set in the summer of 1976 in the Basque town of Errenteria, Spain, a time when the country was undergoing its transition from dictatorship to democracy following Franco's death.

• The story centers on 16-year-old Bea (Alicia Falcó), who, inspired by the winds of change, joins a local feminist group.

• This group is dedicated to raising awareness for the feminist cause and, crucially, fighting for the right to legal abortion, which was still a criminal offense at the time.

• Within this environment of activism and rebellion, Bea develops a deep and special friendship with Maider (Elena Tarrats), a girl who is a bit older and comes from a more affluent family.

• Their bond quickly evolves into an unexpected love story.

• However, their burgeoning relationship is complicated when Bea discovers a painful secret Maider carries, a secret that forces Bea to mature rapidly and understand the complex and often harsh realities faced by women, regardless of their social standing.

• The film is inspired by the real-life "Basauri 11" case, where working-class women in the Basque Country were prosecuted for performing or undergoing abortions between 1976 and 1985, highlighting the dangerous underground networks that existed to help women access care.

Plot Summary: Bea's Summer of Discovery, Love, and Resistance

• A Summer of Change: In the summer of 1976, as Spain begins its transition to democracy after Franco's dictatorship, 16-year-old Bea is immersed in a world of social and political upheaval.

• Joining the Movement: Inspired by the burgeoning feminist movement, Bea joins a group of women in the Basque Country who are actively campaigning for the legalization of abortion and women's rights.

• An Unexpected Connection: Within this group, Bea meets Maider, a slightly older girl from a wealthier family, and a powerful friendship begins to form between them.

• Love and Secrets: Their connection deepens into a romantic relationship, but Maider holds a significant secret related to the very cause they are fighting for.

• Confronting Reality: The revelation of Maider's secret forces Bea to confront the harsh realities and personal dangers faced by women seeking reproductive freedom, pushing her into the complex world of adulthood and challenging her youthful idealism.

• Solidarity and Sacrifice: The film portrays the solidarity among women who, at great personal risk, help others cross the border into France to obtain safe abortions.

Director's Vision: A Homage to Feminist Struggle and Enduring Relevance

• Historical Echoes and Contemporary Relevance: Silvia Munt's vision for In the Company of Women (original title: Las buenas compañías) is to create a film that not only looks back at a crucial period in Spanish history but also resonates strongly with contemporary struggles for women's rights. She explicitly stated, "After 44 years, many demands from that era are still proving necessary. We live in a world where women and their freedoms have undeniably taken a step forwards, but we mustn't forget where we came from, how hard it was to reach the point we're at today and how easy it can be to undo all that we have achieved so far."

• Focus on Female Solidarity: Munt emphasizes the importance of female solidarity, showing how women from different backgrounds united to support each other in the face of legal and societal oppression. The central plot features primarily women, highlighting their shared struggles and collective strength.

• Empathetic and Realistic Portrayal: While the film is didactic in its message, it aims to be empathetic rather than sentimentalist, and realistic rather than purely historicist. Munt seeks to portray the struggles authentically, drawing inspiration from real events like the "Basauri 11" case.

• Youthful Rebellion as a Catalyst: The character of Bea embodies the rebellious enthusiasm of youth, which Munt uses to drive the film's initial message of fighting for emancipation. Bea's journey serves as a timeless portrait of courage and determination.

• Love as a Human Feeling: Munt also portrays the love story between Bea and Maider as a "pure love, love as a human feeling," emphasizing its natural progression and universal emotional depth beyond just its lesbian context, thereby normalizing and celebrating their bond.

Themes: Abortion Rights, Feminism, Sexual Identity, and Generational Change

• The Fight for Abortion Rights: This is the central and most prominent theme, exploring the dangerous and clandestine reality of abortion in post-Franco Spain and the courageous efforts of women to secure legal and safe access.

• Feminist Activism and Solidarity: The film celebrates the power of collective action and the unwavering solidarity among women who risked their freedom to support each other's reproductive choices and advance the feminist cause.

• Sexual Identity and Love: Bea's romantic relationship with Maider explores themes of burgeoning sexual identity and first love, set against a backdrop of societal conservatism and personal discovery.

• Coming-of-Age: Bea's journey is a profound coming-of-age story, as she navigates political awakening, personal relationships, and the harsh realities of the adult world.

• Consequences of Dictatorship and Transition: The film uses the historical context of Spain's transition from dictatorship to democracy to highlight how deeply ingrained social issues, particularly those concerning women's bodies and autonomy, persisted even as political landscapes changed.

• Social Class and Oppression: The story touches upon how the struggle for women's rights transcended social classes, showing that even women from privileged backgrounds faced oppression and difficult choices regarding their bodies.

Key Success Factors: Timely Subject Matter, Strong Performances, and Authentic Period Detail

• Resonant and Timely Subject: The film's focus on abortion rights, though set in the 1970s, holds significant contemporary relevance, particularly in light of global political shifts regarding reproductive freedoms, drawing strong audience engagement.

• Compelling Lead Performance: Alicia Falcó's portrayal of Bea is highly praised for its authenticity and emotional depth, effectively carrying the film's narrative and capturing the spirit of youthful rebellion.

• Authentic Period Recreation: The film effectively transports viewers to the 1970s Basque Country, with careful attention to historical detail in its settings, costumes, and overall atmosphere.

• Powerful Story of Solidarity: The narrative highlights the inspiring and often dangerous acts of solidarity among women, showcasing their resilience and determination.

• Skilled Direction and Screenwriting: Silvia Munt, both as director and co-screenwriter, is lauded for her ability to balance historical context with personal drama, weaving complex themes into an engaging and emotionally impactful story.

• Festival Recognition: Its selection for the Málaga Film Festival and other film festivals indicates its critical appeal and artistic quality.

Awards and Nominations: Early Festival Recognition In the Company of Women was an Official Selection of the 26th Málaga Film Festival in 2023, where it premiered. It was also nominated for Best New Performance (Alicia Falcó) at the 16th Gaudí Awards in 2024. This early festival recognition highlights its critical reception and artistic merit within the Spanish film industry.

Critics Reception: Empathetic, Relevant, and a Fresh Perspective

• ScreenDaily (Jonathan Holland): Holland praises the film for bringing a "fresh female perspective" to the Spanish transition period. He notes that "despite its tragic undertow, is best seen as a celebration of those heady, transformative times [the 1970s] and a reminder of what solidarity can achieve." He also commends Munt and co-scriptwriter Jorge Gil Munarriz for handling a "busy but handled with a quiet elegance."

• La Razón (Matías G. Rebolledo): Rebolledo describes Las buenas compañías as a film about "insolence," considering it "didactic but not instructive, empathetic but not sentimentalist, realistic but not historicist." This suggests a balanced approach that informs without lecturing, and evokes emotion without being overly dramatic.

• La Opinión de Málaga (Víctor A. Gómez): Gómez acknowledges the film's merits but suggests that Alicia Falcó's central performance "dwarves and renders inane the rest of performances, efforts from Munt notwithstanding," indicating that Falcó's portrayal is particularly strong.

• Grow Think Tank: This review highlights the film as a "powerful and touching ode to feminism," an "eulogy of female solidarity," and a call for continued fight for women's freedom. It notes the film's easy transpositions to current events, particularly concerning abortion rights, and praises the portrayal of Bea and Maider's love as "pure love, love as a human feeling."

• Overall Summary: Critics generally commend In the Company of Women for its empathetic and authentic portrayal of a crucial historical period through a distinctly female lens. Its strong performances, particularly by Alicia Falcó, and its ability to connect past struggles with present-day relevance are frequently highlighted. While some minor criticisms exist regarding supporting performances, the film is largely seen as a powerful and elegantly handled drama that celebrates women's resilience and solidarity.

Reviews: Emotional Depth and Historical Insight

• Cineuropa (Alfonso Rivera): Rivera's report on Silvia Munt's post-production work highlights the director's own words on the film's enduring relevance, emphasizing that "many demands from that era are still proving necessary" and reminding viewers of the hard-won progress in women's freedoms.

• Institut français d'Écosse: This source emphasizes the film's focus on Bea's journey and her "rebelliousness" blending with "unexpected feeling," indicating the balance between political awakening and personal growth.

• The Wee Review: This review states that while abortion is central, the narrative also weaves in themes of domestic violence, sexual abuse, sexual identity, and prisoners' fight for political amnesty, suggesting a comprehensive look at women's plights during that era.

• Overall Summary: Reviews consistently praise the film for its emotional depth and its ability to provide historical insight into a significant period for women's rights in Spain. The portrayal of the clandestine networks, the risks taken by women, and the intertwining of personal and political struggles are frequently mentioned as compelling aspects. The film is seen as a moving and important contribution to the discourse on feminism and social justice.

Why to watch this movie: A Powerful Historical Drama with Contemporary Resonance

• Compelling Historical Narrative: If you're interested in significant historical periods and social movements, especially the Spanish transition and the fight for women's rights, this film offers a captivating and authentic portrayal.

• Strong Female-Centric Story: The movie is a powerful testament to female solidarity, resilience, and activism, showcasing courageous women who fought for fundamental freedoms.

• Emotional and Thought-Provoking: It tackles sensitive and important themes with empathy and nuance, leaving a lasting emotional impact and prompting reflection on both historical struggles and current events.

• Excellent Performances: Alicia Falcó delivers a standout performance, making Bea's coming-of-age journey deeply relatable and moving.

• Relevance to Modern Issues: Despite being set in the 1970s, the film's themes of reproductive rights and gender equality remain highly relevant, providing important context for contemporary debates.

Movie Trend: Socially Conscious Historical Dramas In the Company of Women aligns with the trend of socially conscious historical dramas, particularly those that shed light on underrepresented or marginalized voices and struggles from the past. These films often aim to educate and inspire by exploring pivotal moments of social change, drawing parallels to contemporary issues, and giving a platform to the experiences of women, minorities, or other groups whose histories might have been overlooked.

Social Trend: Renewed Focus on Reproductive Rights and Feminist History The film taps into the significant social trend of a renewed global focus on reproductive rights and a re-examination of feminist history. In an era where reproductive freedoms are increasingly debated and challenged in various parts of the world, there's a growing interest in understanding the historical struggles that led to the gains made in women's rights. The film serves as a potent reminder of the fragility of these rights and the importance of continued activism, resonating deeply with contemporary movements advocating for bodily autonomy and gender equality.

Final Verdict: An Essential and Moving Portrayal of a Pivotal Era Silvia Munt's In the Company of Women is more than just a historical drama; it's a vital and moving testament to the courage and solidarity of women fighting for fundamental rights. With a powerful central performance by Alicia Falcó and a script that deftly balances personal discovery with political struggle, the film offers a compelling and timely reminder of how hard-won freedoms can be. It's an essential watch for anyone interested in Spanish history, feminist movements, or simply a beautifully told story about love, resilience, and the enduring power of standing together.