Cría Cuervos

In the summer of 1975, as Francisco Franco's regime neared its end, Carlos Saura made a film that would become a cornerstone of Spanish cinema. Cría Cuervos (Raise Ravens) is a psychological drama seen through the eyes of eight-year-old Ana, played by Ana Torrent. After her father's sudden death, Ana retreats into a world of memory and fantasy, haunted by the ghost of her mother and the oppressive presence of her aunt.

Saura, a leading figure in Spain's art cinema, wrote and directed this allegorical story. Geraldine Chaplin plays dual roles as Ana's mother and her adult self, adding a layer of temporal ambiguity. The film won the Grand Prix at the 1976 Cannes Film Festival and was Spain's submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. With its dreamlike structure and haunting piano score by Federico Mompou, Cría Cuervos remains a profound meditation on childhood trauma and the legacy of authoritarianism.[edit]

Eight-year-old Ana lives in a crumbling Madrid mansion with her two older sisters, Irene and Maite, and their stern Aunt Paulina. The story begins with the death of Ana's father, Anselmo, a military officer whose authoritarian presence defined the household. The narrative weaves between the present, the days after the funeral, and fragmented memories, creating a nonlinear, dreamlike flow that mirrors Ana's inner world.

Ana's mother, also named Ana, died of a mysterious illness years earlier. In her grief, the girl imagines her mother as a ghostly presence who offers comfort. Aunt Paulina, who has taken charge, is strict and cold, contrasting sharply with Rosa, the warm-hearted maid who shows the children genuine affection. Ana discovers a white powder in her father's study, which she believes may have been used to poison her mother. She secretly hoards it, contemplating its use as a means of escape from the oppressive adults around her.

Ana's relationship with her sisters is complex. Irene, the eldest, is rebellious and dreams of leaving home. Maite is quieter, more withdrawn. The youngest sister, who is mute, shares a silent bond with Ana. The film follows their daily routines: playing in the garden, attending school, and navigating the tense atmosphere of the household. Ana's fantasies blur with reality as she imagines confronting her aunt and father, using the powder to free herself.

A key sequence shows the girls dancing and singing to Jeanette's song "¿Por qué te vas?" in the garden, a moment of fleeting joy that contrasts with the gloom inside. The tension builds as Aunt Paulina becomes increasingly controlling, and Ana's obsession with the powder grows. The narrative builds toward a confrontation where Ana must decide whether to act on her dark impulses or remain trapped in her fantasies.[edit]