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A Love to Keep

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Synopsis

Pilar and Elvira, two teachers in Spain during the waning years of the Franco era, become friends, then roommates, then ardent lovers. But their blissful time together ends abruptly because during this period in Spain, their love is illegal. When Pilar's domineering mother discovers her daughter's Sapphic propensity, she institutionalizes her, despite her father's objections, telling the doctor to do whatever it takes to "cure" her daughter.

For years, Elvira searches for Pilar, writing letters to every asylum in Spain, and imploring Pilar's parents to tell her where she is. But Pilar's mother is resolute. When Elvira finally locates the asylum on her own, the guards refuse her entry, and the emotional anticlimax brings her to her knees.

She continues teaching, all the while pining in misery for her one true love. But her plight cannot compare with that of Pilar, who must endure drastic behavioral conditioning and isolation as part of her "therapy". Drained of all her will, and traumatized by the relentless, harsh treatment, Pilar finally convinces her doctor she has lost all attraction to women. Only then does the asylum release her. In the custody of her parents, who severely restrict her comings and goings, she functions as a shadow of her former self.

One fateful evening, Elvira shows up at her doorstep, and Pilar's mother turns her away once more. Watching from an upstairs window, Pilar's father witnesses the crestfallen Elvira. Incapable of allowing this injustice to continue any further, he sneaks Pilar some money and instructs her to escape and find the happiness she deserves.

Pilar at once finds Elvira, and for a time, they rejoice in their reunion, openly displaying their affection in public. "It's not like it used to be", Elvira tells her, explaining that times have fortunately changed. But the difficult years have taken their toll, both physically and mentally. Though Pilar loves Elvira deeply, the memories of her ordeal will not quickly fade, and the scars again test their bond. (Spanish with English subtitles)

Keywords

Drama, Educational, Gay/Lesbian, Homophobia/Negative Portrayal, International, Lesbian, Romance

Genres

Drama, International, Lesbian, Romance

Customer Reviews

Women in Franco's Spain

Amos Lassen wrote on 03/28/2011:

“A Love to Keep” (Picture This Entertainment) is
an epic lesbian love story historically set in Fascist Spain—a period of overt homophobia and social oppression. It is the story of Pilar and Elvira and their love which endures during one of the most turbulent historical periods. The film is based on a true story of what two women went through as Spanish dictator, Francisco Franco, grabbed absolute power.
The women are teachers in Spain during the final years of Franco’s dictatorship. In the beginning they met, became friends, then roommates and ultimately soul mates and lovers. In Franco’s Spain, homosexuality was illegal and because of this they were forced to end their relationship. Pilar’s mother institutionalizes her when she discovers that her daughter is a lesbian even though her husband objects. In fact, the mother tells the doctor to do whatever he can to cure her of her feelings for women
Elvira searches for Pilar and writes letters to every asylum in Spain and pleads with Pilar’s parents to tell her where her lover is but gets no help. Ultimately she finds the hospital on her own but she is not allowed to enter and this incident almost destroys her.
Elvira manages to pull herself together and continues to teach but cries and pines for her lover. Pilar, on the other hand, is suffering greatly. She is forced into behavior modification as well as being isolated as part of her therapy. The treatment drains her of feelings and her own will and she suffers relentlessly. When she finally convinces her doctor that she no longer is attracted to women is she finally released and given over to the custody of her parents. They severely restrict her activities and she is no more than a sad shadow of her former self.
Elvira shows up at Pilar’s parent’s house quite unexpectedly and Pilar’s mother sends her away but all is not lost. Pilar’s father sees the broken Elvira and he refuses to allow any more injustice to continue. He secretly gives Pilar some money and shows her how to escape and thereby find the happiness that she should have. Pilar finds Elvira and they revel in their love quite openly and they both realize that times have changed for the better. Unfortunately, however, the years of mistreatment and torture have taken their toll on the women—both mentally and physically. Even though the two are very much in love, the ordeals they have been through do not leave them and their bond is tested.
The cast is absolutely wonderful. Carmen Elias is Pilar and Susi Sanchez is Elvira and they are very, very convincing as the two women who pay a very high price for love. The cinematography is beautiful and the music is sublime. The extras on the DVD include a featurette on the making of the film as well as cast interviews.
“A Love to Keep” is not an easy movie to watch. I found it reminded me of the period when being gay or lesbian was regarded as having a mental illness. Nevertheless this is an important film as it documents feelings and Franco’s intolerance in Spain.