Nocturn 29


Nocturn 29 is a 1968 avant-garde experimental Catalan film in Spanish directed by Pere Portabella i Ràfols and starring Lucia Bosè and Màrius Cabré. It is a prime example of the Barcelona School of Film.

Description and commentary

This film is shot in black and white, primarily in a sort of burnt-out, high-contrast look, until near the end, when it turns Color [motion picture film|color] during the section that takes place in a [Draper|draper's / fabric shop]. In the color section, various flags appear from different countries, some of them under dictatorships... The Spanish Republic|flag of the Spanish Republic] is also referenced through the placement of different rolls of fabric.
This film was subject to a great deal of censorship, as it was made in the middle of the fascist Franco Regime. The censors, however, didn't realize the meaning of the name, which Portabella explains as the 29 years of darkness that had transpired under Franco. They also let the reference to the Spanish Republic flag mentioned above get by.

Cast

The following appear as members of the cast.

Production

The film was produced by Pere Portabella's production company, Films 59 and distributed by Inter Arte Films, S.A.
Individuals involved in production were associated producers Jacques Levy and Anne M. Settimó, together with Pere Portabella. Head of production was Jaime Fernández Cid.

Crew

Portabella was the director, with José Luis Ruiz Marcos as assistant director.
The script was by Portabella and the experimental poet Joan Brossa, who was responsible for the dialogues, which poet and translator Pere Gimferrer translating them from the Catalan into the Spanish. Anne M. Settimó was responsible for the production script. Photography was by Luis Cuadrado, Lluís Maria Riera was the art director / responsible for decoration, and Teresa Alcocer did the editing, assisted by Margarita Bernet.

Music

The music was by experimental composer and musician Josep Maria Mestres Quadreny, with Carles Santos on the piano and soprano / mezzo-soprano Anna Ricci singing.

Poster

The official poster was made by painter Joan-Pere Viladecans.

Filming locations

The film was shot entirely in Catalonia, with outdoor shots in Barcelona, Portlligat, Les fonts de Sant Hilari Sacalm water springs, Baix Montseny, Collformic mountain pass area, Arbúcies, Coll de la Pollosa mountain pass and Moià.