An important story told with humanity and authenticity
Enric Marco survived Flossenbürg concentration camp and worked tirelessly for the benefit of the largely unrecognised Spanish holocaust survivors. As President of the the Spanish Association of Holocaust Victims, he gave speeches, organised events, and even received a medal from the Catalan government. Until in 2005 he was exposed as a fraud.
Marco, the Invented Truth, tells the story of Marco’s exposure, but also delves into the psychology of the man, who never really admitted that he had done anything wrong. He saw himself as some kind of hero right until his death in 2022 at 101.
Written and directed by Aitor Arregi and Jon Garaño, this is a work which could have taken many angles: sensational; angry; darkly humorous. Instead, it strikes a balance between wry observation and begrudging empathy. Afterall, Marco certainly suffered under the Nazi regime: just not in a concentration camp. The screenplay delivers a slow unravelling of Marco’s lies, and beautifully captures the disappointment and hurt, along with the understandable anger, of those close to him. In the lead role is the amazing Eduard Fernández, who also stars in another historic bio-pic in this year’s festival: El 47.
Fernández puts in a stellar performance, allowing us to see Marco for the flawed human being he was, yet giving us reason to not entirely hate him. No wonder he was awarded Best Actor at this year’s Goyas. He is amply supported by a wonderful cast including Nathalie Poza, Chani Martín, and Fermí Reixach who sadly passed away not long after filming.
Along with some solid direction, tight cinematography by Javier Agirre and beautifully observed art direction by Mikel Serrano combine to make this film visually, as well as thematically, satisfying.
Marco, the Invented Truth, as well as telling a rollicking good true story, shines a light on a fact little known outside of Spain: that there were around 9000 Spanish victims of the Holocaust (direct victims), thanks to Franco’s close relationship with Hitler.
A great choice to include in this year’s festival.
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