Madrid vs. Barcelona in the arena. ¡Olé!
Could the corrida be the cause of partition? "In a clear provocation to its great rival Barcelona, Spain's capital city of Madrid has officially elevated bullfighting to the status of a protected art form, as matadors, philosophers and politicians become embroiled in a furious dispute over the country's bloody but emblematic sport."
Into the debate has stepped Austrian filmmaker Günter Schwaiger with Arena, which has been attacked by the anti-bullfighting lobby, although they haven't seen it yet. Says Schwaiger:
"Nowadays, political correctness often leads to dogmatic, intolerant postures. The majority feels that its own sins are redeemed by censuring the conduct of a few. That happens with bullfighting. It is very easy to attack it, because it shows its hand as it plays and does not hide what society usually conceals. Bullfighting is however anything but a glorification of suffering. Roland Barthes explained what is celebrated at a bullfight: 'Not man's victory over the animal, but victory over ignorance, fear and necessity.'"
The Barthes quote is sure to antagonize the opponents of this ancient ritual, and Schwaiger nails it when he says of bullfighting that "It is very easy to attack it, because it shows its hand as it plays and does not hide what society usually conceals." Two tix for Arena, please!
