TEHRAN-The Cine Club of Sahne-ye Abi Cultural and Artistic Center in Tehran will show the 1973 Spanish drama “The Spirit of the Beehive” directed by Víctor Erice on Saturday.

After the film screening at 6 p.m., it will be followed by a review session in the presence of the film critic and actor Babak Karimi.

The 97-minute movie was Erice's feature directorial debut and is considered a masterpiece of Spanish cinema. It focuses on a young girl named Ana and her fascination with the 1931 American horror film “Frankenstein” and also explores her family life and schooling. In 1940, after watching and being traumatized by “Frankenstein,” the sensitive seven-year-old Ana, who is living in a small Spanish village, drifts into her own fantasy world.

Many have noted the symbolism present throughout the film, as an artistic choice, and a way Erice avoided the censors. Despite censors in Spain, which was under the Franco regime at the time of its making and release, the film still manages to symbolically portray Spanish life under Franco's rule. The film has been called a bewitching portrait of a child's haunted inner life.

The film won the Silver Hugo award at the Chicago International Film Festival in 1973 and the Golden Seashell award at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in the same year.

Sahne-ye Abi Cultural and Artistic Center is located at No. 1595, Valiasr St., after Taleqani junction.

SS/SAB