Libertarias and Durruti

[Stranger Than Paradise]

I watched the film yesterday and I have to say what a brilliant film it was. I shed a tear or few when the militia men and women were singing in the streets in the middle of the film. Anyway my question is how accurate is Aranda's portrayal of Durruti? Now I don't know much about Aranda's political beliefs but maybe he was trying to discredit the man. Anyway the film shows him ordering all women to be taken away from the front. Did he order this?

[Jack]

I don't think so, Durruti was dead before there was an integration into the main army.

This should help: http://flag.blackened.net/revolt/spain/women_afa.html

It claims women were still visible on the front lines in 1937, after Durruti had died.

[Jack]

Well, I just read another article from feministezine.com that said the government took over the militias and expelled women in November 1936, Durruti died on the 20th so it's possible.

[x359594]

I watched the film yesterday and I have to say what a brilliant film it was...Anyway my question is how accurate is Aranda's portrayal of Durruti?...

I must dissent comrade. I found the movie flawed. Aranda indulged in t & a, a very regrettable male indulgence. In Stuart Christie's new publication Arena (the current number is devoted to anarchist cinema) there's a very good article that addresses this issue. In passing the author mentions a 1986 documentary De toda la vivda about the real Mujeres Libres. There's also an excellent book about Mujeres Libres called Free Women of Spain by Martha Ackelsberg. There is nothing in that book about Durrutti ordering women from the front.

As to the accuracy of the portrayal of Durruti, his dialog in the office is lifted from his August 1936 interview with Pierre Van Paasen of the Toronto Daily Star. The actual circumstances differ from those depicted in the film. There is no evidence he actually ordered women from the front, but there was concern that women at the front were engaging in prostitution.

I wonder what our women comrades think about Libertarias?

[Stranger Than Paradise]

Well hearing that I am very angry with the film. I was saying that out when he was getting interviewed I knew he had said that but I think that is completely terrible to do that and portray Durruti as they did. I cannot believe Aranda. I have lost much respect for him.

[nuisance]

Good film though.