While at War

In the summer of 1936, the historic town of Salamanca awakens to the rumble of a nation tearing itself apart. Cobblestone streets that have long echoed with scholarly debate now pulse with the urgent, uneasy chatter of soldiers and citizens caught in the first days of a looming conflict. The film embraces a mood of restless expectation, painting a world where ideals clash with the stark realities of war, and where the ordinary rhythms of academic life are suddenly shadowed by the weight of political upheaval.

At the heart of this turmoil stands Miguel de Unamuno, a celebrated writer and intellectual whose reputation for thoughtful discourse makes him a reluctant voice in the storm. Initially drawn to the promise of order the uprising appears to offer, he finds his optimism tested by the chaotic surge of violence that follows. Around him, two starkly different companions provide both contrast and counsel: the principled, quietly stubborn Atilano Coco, a Protestant priest whose moral compass is unwavering, and the impassioned left‑leaning activist Salvador Vila, whose fervor for justice is as intense as the times themselves. Their conversations crackle with the tension of a world in flux, each character embodying a facet of the larger societal debate.

The film’s tone balances intellectual rigor with the visceral anxiety of a community on the brink. Warm, sun‑drenched courtyards give way to dim, candle‑lit meeting rooms where ideas are weighed against the escalating clamor of gunfire beyond the city walls. Through lingering glances, hushed debates, and the slow, deliberate pacing of daily life interrupted, the story invites viewers to sit with the uneasy question of what conviction means when the very ground beneath it begins to shift. It is a portrait of a man—and a city—caught between hope and disillusionment, poised on the edge of a decision that will reverberate far beyond the walls of Salamanca.

Last Updated: September 17, 2025 at 13:55