Exploring the Poetic Depths of 'The Spirit of the Beehive'

Hello! Today, I want to introduce you to a remarkable film, 'The Spirit of the Beehive' (벌집의 정령), which has quietly made its debut amidst the noise of blockbusters like Captain America and Mickey 17. If you were a filmmaker tasked with creating a story that conveys the message 'The king's ears are donkey ears' without mentioning the king, ears, or donkeys, how would you approach it? This film provides an artistic response to such a challenge.

Originally released in 1973 in Spain, 'The Spirit of the Beehive' is now being screened in South Korea for the first time after 50 years. If my recommendation doesn't convince you, perhaps the endorsement from Ryusuke Hamaguchi, the director of 'Evil Does Not Exist,' will pique your interest. If 'The Spirit of the Beehive' significantly influenced 'Evil Does Not Exist,' you might be even more curious about its impact.

Do you remember the film 'Close Your Eyes,' which came out last year? It tells the story of a director searching for an actor who mysteriously disappeared during filming. Even if you haven't seen it, you might recall the poetic poster featuring a girl with closed eyes. This film was directed by Victor Erice (85), and 'The Spirit of the Beehive' is his debut work. Sometimes, we crave a mysterious film that awakens our dormant senses, and this is the perfect choice for such moments.

The poster for 'The Spirit of the Beehive' immediately captivates viewers, showcasing the face of six-year-old Ana, the film's protagonist. However, be warned: without prior knowledge of the historical context, you might find the film slow-paced. It’s not overly complex, but a basic understanding of Spanish history will enhance your viewing experience. Once you familiarize yourself with the background, allow yourself to be drawn into Ana's gaze, and you will discover moments that will leave you in awe of the film's artistry.

Set in rural Spain in the 1940s, the film takes place after the Spanish Civil War, during the oppressive regime of Franco. The civil war, which lasted from 1936 to 1939, saw the leftist Republicans clash with the right-wing military, culminating in Franco's victory and the establishment of a dictatorship that lasted until his death in 1975. Although 'The Spirit of the Beehive' was released in 1973, it was still under the shadow of Franco's regime, limiting the director's ability to express his thoughts directly.

Thus, through the innocent eyes of a six-year-old girl, the director conveys the messages he yearns to express. The film exemplifies the peak of metaphorical storytelling in an era where artists had to resort to subtlety. For instance, the 'beehive' symbolizes the repressive Spanish society, while the 'spirit' represents the souls of those who suffered and disappeared. Through Ana, the director communicates that although these individuals are gone, their spirits endure, and as long as hope remains, lost freedom can be reclaimed. This poetic and metaphorical narrative may lead to moments of drowsiness if you start watching without preparation.

As the film begins, a cart rolls down a rural road, and the village children cheer, "The movie is coming! Look at those boxes filled with film reels!" A traveling show announces a special screening of 'Frankenstein' at the village hall, claiming to present the most beautiful film in the world. After watching 'Frankenstein' with her sister Isabel, Ana asks her sister a crucial question that resonates throughout the film:

"Sister, why did the monster kill that girl? Why do people want to kill the monster?"

"The monster didn't die, and neither did the girl. Movies are all fake. It's a trick. I saw them alive, in a place near the village."

"So, they're ghosts?"

"No, they're spirits. Spirits don't have bodies, so they can't be killed. If you become friends, you can talk to them anytime. Just close your eyes and call them. 'It's me, Ana.'"

Ana wonders if the kind Frankenstein, who played with a girl by the lake in the film, really died. Her sister reassures her, saying, "He didn't die; just close your eyes and call him." This echoes the themes in Victor Erice's 'Close Your Eyes,' where the title itself suggests that closing your eyes leads to encountering true spirits. The belief that genuine value never disappears and can always be found is a steadfast theme in Erice's work over the past fifty years. Great artists often have a central theme that runs through their lives, and for Erice, it seems to be the unchanging, genuine values that reside deep within our hearts.

Ana's home features beehive-shaped windows, and her mother writes letters to an unknown recipient, expressing, "I have witnessed countless losses and sorrows. The ability to live life fully has vanished along with them." Ana's father, a beekeeper, observes the bees and writes at night about the relentless toil of the beehive, the frenzied activity of the bees, and their persistent yet trivial labor, which ultimately leads to the final rest of death. This too can be seen as a metaphor for the Spanish society symbolized by the beehive and the people trapped within it. The film is bathed in a honeybee-yellow hue, and in the final scenes, as Ana stands by the window, a blue light envelops her. At that moment, she closes her eyes and calls out to her friend, saying, "It's me, Ana."

The contrast of yellow and blue is reminiscent of the imagery in Hamaguchi Ryusuke's 'Evil Does Not Exist,' where the young protagonist's representative colors are also yellow and blue. Hamaguchi cites 'The Spirit of the Beehive' as one of the films that influenced him the most, stating, "I drew mental inspiration from it while making 'Evil Does Not Exist.'" It seems that both films share emotional resonance and turmoil, centered around a young girl.

Lastly, here's a delightful fact: the young Ana from Erice's debut film 'The Spirit of the Beehive' also appears in his latest work, 'Close Your Eyes,' as the daughter of the missing actor. I didn't recognize her at first, but take a look at the side-by-side photos I’ve included. Fifty years have passed for this actress.

I believe that if a film leaves a distinct impression on its viewers, it is complete in itself, regardless of the myriad interpretations it may invite. Both 'The Spirit of the Beehive' and 'Close Your Eyes' can be interpreted in countless simple yet beautiful ways, making them masterpieces. I've shared my thoughts on how to approach these films, so now it's your turn to watch and create your own interpretations. With a hundred viewers, there can be a hundred interpretations. 'The Spirit of the Beehive' is not available on OTT platforms, so I highly recommend finding a theater to experience it. Until next time, thank you!