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“Glimpses into Seville, Santa Maria De Montserrat Abbey, Spain” Silent (1930)

1930 · Short film · 14 min

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Synopsis

This 1930’s double feature film portrays two rich examples of historic Spain. It opens with a Dutch feature titled “Kijkjes in Sevilla;” (Glimpses into Seville).” Black and white footage captures the crux of the city and it’s cultural landmarks including the Seville Cathedral, Royal Alcazar, the Plaza de Espana of Maria Luisa Park and the Argentine Pavilion. A German film by Agfa tours the Santa Maria de Montserrat abbey of Catalonia in the Montserrat mountain range famed for housing the statue of the Black Madonna; La Moreneta. According to myth, it once housed the Holy Grail. Footage highlights various mountain peaks, takes a ride on the Sant Joan Funicular mountain railway, tours the Santa Cova, the Via Crucis and Monumental Rosary. It opens with skyline views (:14) filmed from the top of the Giralda tower with a focus on the city’s historic center. Seville is the capital and largest city of the autonomous community of Andalusia situated on the plains of the Guadalquivir River. In the 1930’s it was an area in transition marked by the glitz of the 1929 World’s Fair as well as deep political polarization. The 1936 uprising left the Nationalists in control and thus began the Spanish Civil War. 00:00 F ootage captures whitewashed buildings indicative of Andalusian cities and the Seville Cathedral; one of Spain’s most impressive landmarks. Shots highlight the cupola of the cathedral (:29) and a blending style of Moorish, Spanish Gothic and Spanish Renaissance (:34). It is home…

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Details

Running time
14 minutes
Collection
Ephemeral Films

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