Cuéntame cómo pasó
Encyclopedia
Cuéntame cómo pasó also known as Cuéntame, is a Spanish television series set during the last years of Francoist rule, and the transition to democracy
in Spain
. It has been broadcast by the Spanish public TV channel TVE1, since 2001. Its original name (Tell me) had to be changed for copyright reasons.
Relying on a combination of micro and macrohistory, the series recounts the experiences of a middle class family, the Alcántara, during the last years of Francisco Franco
and the beginning of the Spanish Transition, and is both a chronic socio-political the time. Its name comes from a famous song by the Spanish sixties pop group Formula V
, titled Tell Me.
The series was created to celebrate the first 25 years since the transition and its didactic spirit is clearly evident in some of the episodes. It includes documentary interviews with historical figures of the era, such as those concerned by the assassination of the then Prime Minister Carrero Blanco or the death of Franco.
From its first episode, broadcast on September 13, 2001, Cuéntame has reflected changes in Spain since 1968 (it starts in April 1968), with the victory in the Eurovision song contest of the singer Massiel
and, according to the producer of the series, Miguel Ángel Bernardeau, should continue until the end of the transition.
In December 2008, TVE and Ganga Group announced that the series, in its 10th season, had achieved very good audience levels, and would be renewed for up to 3 more seasons, with the storyline moving firmly into the 80s and the "Movida madrileña".
The series, through situations, characters and attitudes of the era, with which the public who lived then could easily empathize, constitutes a wistful reminiscence of those times, and in that respect can be compared to the series The Wonder Years
, which did the same thing for US history, or "Temps de silenci" (Catalan: "Times of silence": a series about Catalonia
after the Spanish Civil War
).
It influenced the Portuguese series Conta-me como foi, which starts the same year (1968), going to 1974, the year of the 25 de Abril. It counts with the participation of Portuguese actors such as Rita Blanco or Miguel Guilherme.
Spanish transition to democracy
The Spanish transition to democracy was the era when Spain moved from the dictatorship of Francisco Franco to a liberal democratic state. The transition is usually said to have begun with Franco’s death on 20 November 1975, while its completion has been variously said to be marked by the Spanish...
in Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
. It has been broadcast by the Spanish public TV channel TVE1, since 2001. Its original name (Tell me) had to be changed for copyright reasons.
Relying on a combination of micro and macrohistory, the series recounts the experiences of a middle class family, the Alcántara, during the last years of Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco
Francisco Franco y Bahamonde was a Spanish general, dictator and head of state of Spain from October 1936 , and de facto regent of the nominally restored Kingdom of Spain from 1947 until his death in November, 1975...
and the beginning of the Spanish Transition, and is both a chronic socio-political the time. Its name comes from a famous song by the Spanish sixties pop group Formula V
Formula V
For the motor racing class, see Formula VeeFórmula V is a Spanish pop musical quintet founded in 1965 in Spain. The musical style is very much in the style of 60's rock similar to the Beatles and Monkees. In the late 1960s the band experienced enormous popularity in Spain and Latin America.The...
, titled Tell Me.
The series was created to celebrate the first 25 years since the transition and its didactic spirit is clearly evident in some of the episodes. It includes documentary interviews with historical figures of the era, such as those concerned by the assassination of the then Prime Minister Carrero Blanco or the death of Franco.
From its first episode, broadcast on September 13, 2001, Cuéntame has reflected changes in Spain since 1968 (it starts in April 1968), with the victory in the Eurovision song contest of the singer Massiel
Massiel
María de los Ángeles Felisa Santamaría Espinoza , professionally known as Massiel, is a Spanish pop singer...
and, according to the producer of the series, Miguel Ángel Bernardeau, should continue until the end of the transition.
In December 2008, TVE and Ganga Group announced that the series, in its 10th season, had achieved very good audience levels, and would be renewed for up to 3 more seasons, with the storyline moving firmly into the 80s and the "Movida madrileña".
The series, through situations, characters and attitudes of the era, with which the public who lived then could easily empathize, constitutes a wistful reminiscence of those times, and in that respect can be compared to the series The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years
The Wonder Years is an American television comedy-drama created by Carol Black and Neal Marlens. It ran for six seasons on ABC from 1988 through 1993. The pilot aired on January 31, 1988 after ABC's coverage of Super Bowl XXII....
, which did the same thing for US history, or "Temps de silenci" (Catalan: "Times of silence": a series about Catalonia
Catalonia
Catalonia is an autonomous community in northeastern Spain, with the official status of a "nationality" of Spain. Catalonia comprises four provinces: Barcelona, Girona, Lleida, and Tarragona. Its capital and largest city is Barcelona. Catalonia covers an area of 32,114 km² and has an...
after the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
).
It influenced the Portuguese series Conta-me como foi, which starts the same year (1968), going to 1974, the year of the 25 de Abril. It counts with the participation of Portuguese actors such as Rita Blanco or Miguel Guilherme.