Blancanieves (Pablo Berger, 2012)

The 2012 film by Spanish director Pablo Berger, Blancanieves, is an excellent film for the Spanish-language classroom. A remake of the Brothers Grimm's tale, Snow White, Berger's film is set in 1920's Spain and centers on classic Spanish cultural elements: bullfighting and flamenco. The film is silent (with intertitles in English) and is in black and white. So, what would you like to study with your students: film adaption? Spanish cultural elements such as bullfighting and flamenco? The silent film era in Spain? Blancanieves offers all of these possibilities! And it is easily available on Netflix streaming video. 

My students were surprised by how much they liked the film! They really enjoyed the cinematography and the cultural elements. Who knew a silent film could be so good?

Here is my lesson plan, as used in my advanced level film course (though it could easily be adapted for intermediate level students):

Students read a brief introduction to the silent film era in Spain, and Berger´s apparent homage to one filmmaker in particular, Florian Rey. (Note: I wrote this introduction myself and have included a bibliography of works consulted in the creation of the document.)

There are two student presentation topics (see how I do student presentations here):

• La historia de las corridas de toros en España y las partes principales de una corrida
• El flamenco con énfasis en las sevillanas

(There was a miscommunication with one of my students, so in the end I prepared the mini lesson on bullfighting. This is what I put together.)

I also have them read the story by the Brothers Grimm, since most students only know the Disney version. Here is a good version in Spanish.

And here is a link to document that has vocabulary, activities with vocabulary, comprehension questions for students to answer while viewing the film, and follow-up analysis questions that can be answers either in class or outside of class. And here are my in-class presentations: Antes de Ver and Después de Ver

This a fun film - super dramatic, with a fabulous soundtrack. Your students will enjoy it.