"Living Utopia" - 1997 documentary about Anarchism during the Spanish Revolution of 1936

"Living Utopia" is a documentary by Juan Gamero published in 1997 that tells the origins and evolution of the Spanish anarchist movement and its role during the Spanish Revolution, mostly through the voices of the people who lived it.

This documentary does, in fact, feature 30 people, men and women, who actually lived in the regions organized after anarchist principles during the revolution and, through their direct experiences, gives a full picture of what led to this revolution, what living under this organization was like, and what led to its defeat.

I saw this documentary last night, and I have many things to say.

For starters, the documentary is very well made and clear. I, as a person who knew very little about this revolution, was able to follow through the explanations without many difficulties. However, it is clearly made for people who already know anarchist theory (which makes sense), but I still think that it's suitable even for those who are not familiar with it. I do, in fact, think that this documentary could even make people more interested in studying anarchism!

On the other hand, this documentary is also perfect for all those people who know anarchist theory and think that it's impossible to apply in reality, that it's "utopian" (hence the title "Living Utopia"), because it shows that it really isn't! It clearly shows how anarchism can work in reality, of course if adapted a bit based on the historical and social context, but still keeping its principles intact! 

Every one of the people interviewed testified how living under anarchism was better than not living under it. They are normal people, like you and me, who lived pre-revolution, during a revolution, under anarchism, post-revolution, and in a society like the one we had in 1997, and still, they all agree that living under anarchism has been the best part of their lives!

Also, they all say (and it's considered factual also from historians themselves) that this "anarchist experiment" failed not because of its organization, not because it was unstable or anything like that, no! It failed because its organization was weakened and made unstable due to the boycotts of republican and communist forces, and so the anarchists weren't as able as before at defending their community against Franco's forces. (Of course it's a bit more complex than what I said, but the core of the concept is this).

It breaks my heart seeing these old people, who fought with all their strength to defend themselves against authoritarianism and to defend their freedom, telling this story with that look of defeat in their eyes, saying that they wish they had won and that living under anarchism was the best period of their lives. It breaks my heart because they fought so hard to prove that the freedom of humanity under anarchism was possible, and yet, their struggles and courage are hardly ever recognized!

At the same time, however, it gives me hope. Because, if the people who lived it and saw it fail still believe in it, after everything that happened,why shouldn't I?

"In History, stagnant waters, whether they be stagnant waters of custom or those of despotism, harbour no life; life is dependent on the ripples created by a few eccentric individuals." - Herbert Read