Cría Cuervos (Raise Ravens)

In the twilight of Francisco Franco's dictatorship, 8-year-old orphan Ana and her two sisters go to live with their aunt. The young girls try their best to acclimatize to the new reality against the backdrop of a caged childhood. Ana seeks solace by mixing memories with fantasy in her dimly-lit room, and she develops a morbid relationship with her mother’s ghost. Seamlessly shifting between fantasy and reality, the film subtly evokes both the complex feelings of childhood, loss and the struggles of a nation emerging from the shadows.

Cer. 12. Content warning: The following program contains material that may be disturbing. Viewer discretion is advised. This program contains violent content which may be too intense for some viewers. Viewer discretion is advised.

Reviews

An exquisitely made and deeply affecting film, told from the viewpoint of children, which has guilt and trauma running through its delicate veins.” – Time Out

Awards

-Winner | Cannes Film Festival, 1976: Special Jury Prize Award.

-Winner | ACE Awards, 1978: Best Film, Best Actress (Geraldine Chaplin), Best Supporting Actor (Héctor Alterio), Best Director.

-Winner | Cinema Writers Circle Awards, 1977: Best Director.

-Winner | French Syndicate of Cinema Critics, 1977: Best Director.

-Winner | National Board of Review: Top Foreign Films.