Abstract
Photographs of dwarf bullfighters inspired Pablo Berger’s film Blancanieves (2012). Berger sets this silent, black-and-white version of “Snow White” in Andalusia in the 1920s, and the bullfighting and flamenco that are central to the narrative are controversial elements of Spanish identity. Berger follows the nine major components of the deep structure of this universal fairy tale but changes the normal ending. This version of the tale provides insights into the historical moment portrayed and into contemporary Spain. Berger’s use of these Spanish identity markers in the context of this widespread fairy tale shows new attitudes toward them and provides the film with a greater appeal to international audiences. As Bruno Bettelheim notes, all fairy tales reveal basic truths, and Blancanieves does that with a Spanish twist.
Recommended Citation
Deveny, Thomas. "Blancanieves: A Film Adaptation of “Snow White” with a Spanish Twist." Marvels & Tales 30.2 (2017). Web. <https://digitalcommons.wayne.edu/marvels/vol30/iss2/10>.
