THE BEEHIVE

La Colmena

Director Mario Camus / 1982 / Spain

Madrid, shortly after the war. The cafe “La Delicia” is always crowded with people who want shelter from the cold, or company; people who are hungry and tired, but have a strong desire to survive. Some of them live in their dreams , others try to cope with a reality that does not hold many promises.

Nothing special happens, no external tragedies, no extremes - we are watching a slice of everyday life as it goes on in the streets and houses of the city. The cafe is the only central point where they all meet from time to time.

In his novel, on which the screenplay was based, Camilo José Cela writes: “Life is what lives inside or outside our- selves - we are only its vehicle...”

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