ELS PORTS, LAND OF CINEMA AND LITERATURE
INSPIRATION
OF WRITERS …
The fascinating history of Els Ports and its charming corners have been a source of inspiration for many writers and filmmakers. Numerous novels, historical books, scientific or even poetic books have been written about this region. Writers as Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Baroja, Camilo José Cela, Joan Fuster and Vicent Andrés Estellés, who are Spanish and Valencian references have found their inspiration in the region of Els Ports.
REFERENTS OF THE LITERATURE
BOOKS,
NOVELS, TALES…
Many books that narrate historic events of the region, many fiction novels that walk through villages of the region and even children’s stories that teach us the festivities and traditions have been inspired by Els Ports. Some of the books written about the historical region of Els Ports have achieved important awards. For example, the story of La Pastora, written by Alicia Giménez Bartlett “Donde nadie te encuentre” Nadal Prize in 2011, and “La filla del capità Groc” (The Yellow Captain’s Daughter) by Victor Amela, was awarded the Ramón Llull Prize in 2016. This was the third novel of Victor Amela, after “El cátaro imperfecto” (The Imperfect Cathar) which shows how Guillem Belibasta spent his life in Els Ports, and “Amor contra Roma” (Love aginst Rome) which focuses on the Roman past of the area.
HISTORY
NOVELS OF
THE REGION
One of the authors of reference of the current Valencian narrative is Joan Andrés Sorribes. Writer who has published several novels based on real events taking place in Els Ports as “La forja de Lesera” (2000), “Noverint Universi” (2000) “Pedres marcades” (2015). Also in recent times, local authors as Elena Moya and Conxa Rodríguez have published novels that take place in the region, such as “La maestra republicana” and “Piano a cuatro manos”.
LAND AND FREEDOM
LAND AND
FREEDOM
Regarding to the cinema in Els Ports, we can highlight the filming of “Land and Freedom” (“Land and Freedom”, Ken Loach, 1995), a film that competed for the Palme d’Or at Cannes and had a great critical success. He won the FIPRESCI Prize at Cannes and César Award for Best European Film of the European Film Academy. Film shot in the mountains of Els Ports, between Mirambel and Morella, which chronicles the struggle of a young communist from Liverpool during the Spanish Civil War. Other films that have been filmed in this area are “Amanecer de un sueño ” (Freddy Mes Franquesa, 2008), with Héctor Alterio and Alberto Ferreiro, “Tramontana” by (Carlos Pérez, 1991), with Emma Suárez and Jorge Sanz, “En brazos de la mujer madura” (Manuel Lombardero 1996) or “The End” (Jorge Torregrossa, 2012), with Clara Lago and Maribel Verdú. In the eighties, the famous series “Clase media”, with Antonio Resines and Charo López, also filmed in this area.