An adaptation of the (often presented as "unadaptable") novel Tirano Banderas, a standout work of the esperpento genre which underpins a criticism of abuses of power,[1] the plot tracks the developments in the fictitious republic of Santa Fe de Tierra Firme, ruled by megalomaniac dictator Santos Banderas.[2] The dictator has been noted to display an amalgamation of features from real dictators such as Rafael Leónidas Trujillo, Miguel Primo de Rivera or Juan Vicente Gómez.[3]
Featuring an ambitious budget of 450 million ₧,[4] the film was produced by Ion Films S. A. with the collaboration of Iberoamericana Films Producción S. A., Atrium Productions S. A., Promociones Audiovisuales Reunidas S. A., Antena 3 Televisión, ICAIC and Cinematográfica del Prado.[5]
The 50th Venice International Film Festival ruled out the film for its official competition.[6] It screened as the only Spanish film in competition at the Valladolid International Film Festival (Seminci) in October 1993, where it met polarizing opinions.[7][8] The film had a limited theatrical release in Galicia before the end of the year just so it could become eligible for the 8th Goya Awards,[9] where it won the award for Best Adapted Screenplay and 5 additional awards in technical categories.[10] It had a wide theatrical release in Spain on 14 January 1994.[5]
