"El Florido Pensil" is a humorous reflection of the education of several generations of Spaniards from the 1940s to the 1960s. Based on the book of the same name by Andrés Sopeña, it evokes, from the present, his memories of that time: everyday school, local radio, Roberto Alcázar's comics, Thursday cinema with Franco opening swamps and "Yon Güein" chasing and killing Indians. Through the childish eyes of a child Sopeña (Daniel Rubio) and his schoolmates, we discover a way of understanding the world, society and a Spain "of glories and flowery pensil", as the national anthem of those years used to sing.
Acting
El Gran Wyoming's priest is uncomfortably perfect.
Writing
Sopeña's memoir adapted with bitter, loving precision.
Production
Recreates Franco-era classroom as psychological horror set.
Director
Juan José Porto
El Gran Wyoming
Don Secundino
Chus Lampreave
Doña Pepa
Natalia Dicenta
Madre de Sopeña
Francis Lorenzo
Roberto Alcázar
Fernando Guillén
Don Julián
Emilio Gutiérrez Caba
Sopeña adulto
María Isbert
Doña Paquita
Jorge Sanz
Pedrín
Agustín González
Locutor
David Sánchez del Rey
Briones
Kirian Sánchez
Sánchez Peinado
Christian Bautista
Ruíz
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The title comes from a Franco-era anthem lyric glorifying Spain's 'flowery pencil' — essentially state-mandated poetic kitsch.
Director Juan José Porto was himself a child during this period; the film's specific details come from his own repressed memories of Catholic schooling.
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