Goya's Ghosts

Spain is deeply affected by the upheaval caused by the French Revolution, leading to widespread unrest. The political turmoil influences many aspects of society, including art, as Francisco Goya, the celebrated painter, finds himself caught in the crossfire.

Goya is designated the Official Court Painter and is tasked with capturing the likenesses of elite Spanish figures. His art, however, becomes contentious as it incites the ire of the Spanish Inquisition due to its provocative nature.

Brother Lorenzo Casamares intervenes to defend Goya against the criticism from the Spanish Inquisition. He suggests that Goya's art merely reflects the darker sides of humanity, arguing for a more lenient stance towards the artist.

Shortly after Lorenzo's portrait sitting with Goya, Inés, the daughter of merchant Tomás Bilbatúa, is arrested by Holy Office spies for allegedly 'Judaizing.' Her situation quickly deteriorates as she is subjected to torture until she reluctantly confesses.

Tomás Bilbatúa, desperate to free his daughter Inés from imprisonment, turns to Goya for assistance. This marks a turning point, as Goya's role transitions from a mere artist to a pivotal figure in the fight against the oppressive Inquisition.

During a dinner hosted by the Bilbatúa family, a heated argument erupts over the use of torture by the Inquisition. Lorenzo defends these brutal practices, while Goya and Bilbatúa contend that coerced confessions are not indicative of guilt, underscoring the ethical divide between them.

In a twisted act of irony, Tomás Bilbatúa turns Lorenzo's own endorsement of torture against him by subjecting him to the same brutal treatment he justifies. This ordeal forces Lorenzo to make ridiculous confessions, igniting a new understanding of his own moral contradictions.

In a horrific display of power, Lorenzo visits Inés in her cell under the guise of prayer but instead commits rape. This act further complicates the web of exploitation and manipulation surrounding their characters, deeply impacting Inés's fate.

As fifteen years pass, Goya has grown deaf and reaches the height of his artistic prowess. The French invasion leads to the disbanding of the Inquisition, allowing many former prisoners, including Inés, to finally regain their freedom.

Inés, still trapped in her traumatic experiences, struggles with severe mental decline in the dungeon. After giving birth, she is devastated to find her family dead, driving her to seek Goya's help in locating her missing child.

To hide his shame, Lorenzo commits Inés to an asylum, blocking any chance of reconciliation between her and their child. This act of betrayal reveals Lorenzo’s willingness to sacrifice others for his own protection, encapsulating his moral decline.

Goya encounters a young prostitute named Alicia who resembles Inés and feels compelled to help reunite Inés with her daughter. His compassion pushes him into a tumultuous situation where he risks confronting Lorenzo’s authority.

Lorenzo orchestrates a raid on a tavern where Goya is striving to help Inés escape. The chaos leads to the capture of several prostitutes, revealing the stark danger posed by Lorenzo’s position and the reckless brutality of the times.

As the tides of war shift back against the French, Lorenzo is captured and brought to trial. He faces execution, with the former Inquisitor-General ironically urging him to repent, marking a glaring role reversal and poetic justice.

On the gallows, Lorenzo faces his end while Inés, now with a child she believes to be theirs, appears amidst the crowd. His defiance resonates with her anguished revelation, finalizing a cycle of tragedy and lost hopes as Goya watches, heartbroken.