The 1930s were a turbulent decade for Spain. The monarchy fell in 1931, and the ensuing years saw a Republican government
in power (viewed by some as communists), with fascist nationalists opposing them, each vying for public favor. In the midst of this -- 1936, to be exact -- is when "Butterfly" takes place, showing the effects of the political turmoil on a picturesque little village. At the center is young Moncho (Manuel Lozano), who is befriended by a kindly schoolteacher named Don Gregorio (Fernando Fernan Gomez). He teaches Moncho lots of philosophical things, like that there's no such thing as "hell": "Hate and cruelty are hell," he says, as the two look for beautiful butterflies and other creatures of the meadow.
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