Butterfly
1999 · Movie · R · 96 min · ★ 7.3 · 83% critics
In a small Galician town in 1936, a timid boy’s first days of school turn into a gentle awakening as a compassionate teacher opens his eyes to nature, curiosity, and new ideas. As political tensions rise and daily life grows more uncertain, childhood discoveries collide with the fears and pressures of a country edging toward conflict.
Also known as Butterfly's tongue
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Details
- Original title
- La lengua de las mariposas
- Years
- 1999
- Release date
- 1999-09-24
- Language
- Spanish
- Rated
- R
- Runtime
- 96 min
- Critic score
- 83/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.3/10 (246 votes)
About
If you like intimate coming-of-age stories where everyday moments slowly give way to political unease, this should land, especially if you enjoyed Machuca or The Motorcycle Diaries; Not for you if you want fast pacing or lighter themes.
Pros: tender teacher-student bond; poetic, nostalgic mood; child’s-eye perspective | Cons: meandering, episodic pacing; abrupt, heavy turns; brief graphic sexual content
Themes
- friendship
- fascism
- spanish civil war (1936-39)
- galicia, spain
- atheist
- coming of age
- teacher
- butterfly
- 1930s
Awards & recognition
- European Film Award — Best Screenwriter · 2000 · nominated
Cast & crew
Fernando Fernán Gómez
as Don Gregorio
Manuel Lozano
as Moncho
Uxía Blanco
as Rosa
Gonzalo Uriarte
as Ramón
- AS
Alexis de los Santos
as Andrés
Jesús Castejón
as Don Avelino
Guillermo Toledo
as O'lis
Elena Bagutta
as Carmiña
Tamar Novas
as Roque
- LL
Lara López
as Aurora
Directed by José Luis Cuerda