Fear and Isolation
The tone of the film expresses the isolation and disconnect that exist under the Franco regime through the barren landscapes and characters. The scenes focusing on each character convey certain loneliness that symbolizes the emotional disintegration of society. Beehive, acting as a symbol of this oppression and alienation, is prominent in the film to showcase the existential isolation in such a civilization. Our young protagonist is unsettled and lost with the initiation into the adult world breeding fear within her. Her withdrawal from the family accentuates the sense of alienation that has infected all spheres in the entire society. This historical trauma of the Spaniards is portrayed through the domestic distress of the people in their isolated setups.
Fascism
With the beehive representing the social order in Francoist Spain, the state of affairs in the nation is clearly depicted. The animal that is fascism creates this political atmosphere that paralyzes civil liberties and violates human rights. This political climate is depicted in different facets in the film including the characters themselves and also the film Frankenstein. The older sister Isabel represents the nationalists who perpetuate fear and deceive the masses to further their agenda. The film screening becomes some sort of propaganda to push the agenda against the socialism of the previous Republican government. Erice incorporates subtle and subliminal messages to portray the reality of the rule that stole away true political expression.
A Child’s Concept of Reality and Death
As expected, the young protagonist is impressionable akin to kids in the same age group with a strong imagination. The six-year-old progressively grasps the link between life and death heightened by her interpretation of the film Frankenstein. The curiosity initiated by watching the film allows the child to escape into imaginings that would prompt growth. Moreover, Isabel manipulates her naivety to evoke fear and anxiety but it gives Ana a chance to explore the adult world. The discovery of death and loss in the sheepfold opens her mind to the reality that contrasts largely with fantasy. In this society, the children are rather neglected in that they have to fare on without much guidance from their parents. As such, they rely on their imaginations whilst reconciling them with the reality that surrounds them.
