Requiem for a Spanish Peasant (film)

Requiem for a Spanish Peasant (Réquiem por un campesino español) is a 1985 Spanish historical drama film directed by Francesc Betriu based on the 1953 short novel of the same name by Ramon J. Sender. Its cast features Antonio Ferrandis and Antonio Banderas.

Plot
Told from the account of priest Mosén Millán, conducting a requiem mass, the plot tracks the life of Republican peasant Paco, killed by Fascists during the Spanish Civil War.

Production
The film is a Venus and Nemo Films production, and it had support from Catalan broadcaster TV3. Shooting locations in the province of Zaragoza included Embid de la Ribera (Calatayud), Chodes, and Arándiga.

Release
There was controversy over the film title, with National Cinematography Institute director Pilar Miró threatening to remove State backing for the Venice premiere should the español ('Spanish') bit be removed from the title, as TV3 managers suggested at some point. The film premiered at the 42nd Venice International Film Festival in August 1985. Distributed by Lauren Films, it was released theatrically in Spain on 17 September 1985.