The Devil's Backbone

  • Thursday, Jun 18

  • Sunday, Jun 21

Showtimes updated on Tuesday evenings
Legend
OCOpen Captioned
Special Content
35mm
SFSensory Friendly
Cinema Studies

The Devil's Backbone

A hauntingly beautiful ghost story which stands among the finest, and most personal, films from director Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water). After losing his father, twelve-year-old Carlos is the latest arrival to the Santa Lucia School, an imposing stone building that shelters the orphans of the Republican militia and politicians during the last days of the Spanish Civil War. Amid repeated encounters with the restless ghost of a murdered student, Carlos gradually uncovers the dark ties that bind the inhabitants of the school.

In celebration of the JBFC’s 25th Anniversary, these screenings will feature our original 2001 pricing.

"Here is a ghost story so dynamic you could call it a ghost poem."
L.A. Weekly, F.X. Feeney
"The political and the supernatural come together beautifully (and violently), and the unsentimental portrayal of childhood is refreshing, with terrific performances from the boy actors. It’s altogether a supremely satisfying tale."
Steve Rose, The Guardian

This film is part of the following initiatives:

This film is part of the Time Capsule 2001 series.



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No Picnic

Opens 5/22

The Jacob Burns Film Center is proud to receive generous support from:

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