elpais.com
La Frontera": Fictional ETA Plot Against Real 1987 Backdrop
La Frontera," a new five-part series premiering on Prime Video, fictionalizes a 1987 ETA operation in Paris, juxtaposing this invented plot with the real-world context of the Franco-Spanish border and ETA's activities during the governments of Felipe González and François Mitterrand, including the 1987 Zaragoza barracks bombing which killed 11, including six children.
- What are the immediate implications of "La Frontera's" blending of fact and fiction in its portrayal of the fight against ETA terrorism in 1987?
- La Frontera," a five-part series premiering on Prime Video, depicts a 1987 ETA manhunt on the Spanish-French border. The series blends real historical events, like the Zaragoza Guardia Civil barracks massacre, with a fictional plot involving a planned ETA attack in Paris. This fictional attack is central to the plot, creating a conflict between Spanish and French authorities.
- How does the series' fictional plotline concerning an ETA attack in Paris affect the overall portrayal of the political and security dynamics between Spain and France during that period?
- The series uses the real-world political context of 1980s Spain and France, including the strained relationship between the two countries regarding ETA's activities and the internal divisions within ETA itself. However, the fictional plotline contrasts sharply with the historical record, potentially undermining the series' credibility for those familiar with the era.
- What are the long-term consequences of using a largely fictional storyline, set against a backdrop of verifiable historical events, for portraying the complexities of ETA terrorism and the counter-terrorism efforts of the time?
- The show's fictional plotline, involving a planned Paris bombing and a clandestine operation to stop it, raises questions of historical accuracy and potentially misrepresents the complexities of the fight against ETA terrorism. The juxtaposition of factual historical events with a fabricated central narrative may confuse viewers and lessen the impact of the historical elements.
Cognitive Concepts
Framing Bias
The series' presentation frames the fictional plot as the central narrative, potentially overshadowing the historical context. The introduction emphasizes action, intrigue, and anti-terrorism efforts, but the review points out that the core plot is fictional and diverges significantly from historical reality. This framing might unintentionally mislead viewers into believing the fictional plot is more significant or representative than it is.
Language Bias
The review uses terms like "disparatados" (outrageous), "cobarde" (cowardly), and "mezquinos" (mean) to describe aspects of the series and the historical context. While subjective, these words reflect a negative assessment that could be considered biased. The review also suggests the series portrays the Spanish government as having "mezquinos y cuasicriminales" interests. Neutral alternatives might include "unconventional," "unfortunate," or more descriptive terms.
Bias by Omission
The review mentions omissions. The series focuses on a fictional plot, neglecting other crucial aspects of the Basque conflict in 1987, such as the complexities of the political climate, the internal struggles within ETA, and the diverse reactions of Basque society to ETA's actions. The specific omissions could mislead viewers into believing the depicted scenario was typical or representative of the conflict, which it was not.
False Dichotomy
The review doesn't explicitly mention a false dichotomy, but it implies one by contrasting the fictional plot of the series with the 'real' historical context. This creates a simplistic eitheor: either the series is historically accurate, or it is pure fiction. The nuance of historical fiction, and how it can creatively interpret and explore real events, isn't considered.
Gender Bias
The review mentions the portrayal of 'La Tigresa' and implies a stereotypical depiction of a female ETA member as irresponsible, ninfomaniac, and murderous. This could be considered a gender bias if the series uses such descriptions without sufficient contextualization or counter-points.
Sustainable Development Goals
The series depicts a fictional scenario where the Spanish government's inaction in preventing a terrorist attack in Paris undermines international collaboration in counter-terrorism and the pursuit of justice. This fictional portrayal, while dramatic, could potentially misrepresent the complexities of the real-life struggle against ETA terrorism and the cooperation between Spanish and French authorities.