‘Labordeta, a man without more’: Tribute to the famous singer-songwriter

12 years after his death, the Aragonese singer-songwriter, writer and politician José Antonio Labordeta, continues to be considered one of the great contemporary figures of the autonomous community and one of the maños whose recognition has even crossed borders. Given the love and affection people continue to have for him, it’s no surprise that a documentary has emerged that honors his legacy and is also supported by his own family. Therefore ‘Labordeta, un hombre sin más’, is a careful homage in which, moreover, one notices not only the admiration, respect and affection for the artist, but also the sense of history.

Directed by Paula Labordeta, one of the poet’s three daughters, together with Gaizka Urreste, already an expert in documentaries on famous artistic characters, as she made ‘Labordeta’ after paying homage to Luis Eduardo Aute in ‘Aute Portrait’, his most recognized in his facet as a documentary filmmaker. The film is a historical journey through the life and work of the singer-songwriter and his love for Aragon, for the lands of Canfranc or Teruel, as well as for his beloved Zaragoza. Also the weight of the family inheritance, due to the persecutions suffered during the Franco dictatorship, as well as its vocation to defend freedom and democratic values.

The film chooses combine moments of documentary statements, with various expert figures, as well as family and friends; along with other types of much more familiar scenes, in which his widow, Juana de Grandes, is seen with her daughters Paula, Ángela and Ana talking about her other facets: that of husband, father and ordinary citizen. Fascinating are the sequences at the Canfranc station, in which Juana talks to her granddaughters, as if she were leaving them the family past and the historical importance of her grandfather in her life.

A film that follows in the footsteps of the wonderful ‘Aute Portrait

The documentary tries to follow the spirit of Labordeta, which translates into a feature film that pays homage but without wanting to exalt his figure too much. He succeeds, showing how his political commitment was collective, giving prominence to his former party colleagues, also recalling that Spain that was moving towards a democracy, in a society that did not know what a rally was.

Impossible not to be carried away by the love that the film transmits to the singer-songwriter and poet, a contemporary bard. Secondly, exercises an indispensable informative work for those who try to get closer to his figure, making the new generations rediscover a genius of verse and a man who tried to be consistent with himself. ‘Labordeta, un hombre sin más’ is also a letter of admiration from a daughter to a father, as well as a new demonstration that Gaizka Urreste is establishing himself as one of the great documentary makers of famous people in Spanish cinema.

Note: 7

The best: Family scenes convey that love, admiration and respect for the songwriter.

Worse: Its technical section is very conventional.