The Male Return to the Countryside in Spanish Culture

Abstract

This article explores the cultural representation of the urban male’s return to the countryside in Santiago Lorenzo’s Los asquerosos, Javier Cercas’ Terra Alta, Oliver Laxe’s Lo que arde, Rodrigo Sorogoyen’s As bestas and Mikel Guerrea’s film Suro. The analysis will consider the interrelated themes of gender equality, affect, male mental health and class, arguing that the rural space is represented as both a potential locus for reinvention for male urbanites, but also a space of decline and violence that reaffirms hegemonic masculinity.