Authorship and female stardom in Spanish cinema under Franco: Sara Montiel and Marujita Díaz

Abstract

ABSTRACT During the Francoist regime in Spain (1939–1975), it was extremely challenging for women to gain visibility in the public sphere and to obtain professional recognition. In the Spanish film industry, women rarely had creative roles. This article focuses on the creative practices of two outstanding female stars, Sara Montiel and Marujita Díaz, who assumed significant control over their films in the 1960s. Our research dialogues with feminist perspectives on female authorship in film history, and with theories about stardom and authorship from the field of star studies to analyze Montiel’s and Díaz’s creative and industrial strategies to take control of their own careers. The patriarchal pressures they had to overcome evidence the lack of study and cultural legitimization of their creative practices. The recovery of these silenced stories contributes to contemporary debates about female stars and power in film industries.