Animal Rights Activists Criticize Spanish Bullfighting Documentary
Animal rights advocates have voiced strong condemnation of Tardes de Soledad (Lonely Afternoons), an award-winning Spanish documentary that centers on the life of acclaimed bullfighter Andrés Roca Rey. The film, which recently won a prestigious Goya award—Spain’s equivalent of the Oscars—has sparked outrage for allegedly romanticizing the suffering of animals.
Despite its accolades, the film’s release comes at a time when public sentiment is increasingly against bullfighting. A recent poll revealed that 77 percent of Spaniards oppose the practice, with many viewing it as an outdated and cruel form of entertainment. Marta Esteban, a representative of the Foundation to Help Animals, criticized the film, stating that regardless of its artistic value, it serves to “glamorize the torture of animals for entertainment.”
Esteban drew upon a popular Spanish proverb, saying, “Even if a monkey dresses in silk, it remains a monkey.” She reinterpreted this in the context of bullfighting, asserting, “Even if torture is dressed in silk, it remains torture.”
The survey conducted by Fundación BBVA, a prominent foundation associated with Spain’s second-largest bank, further indicated that 80 percent of respondents were against hunting animals, while 82 percent opposed the use of animals in public spectacles. The poll had a sample size of 2,033 people across Spain, reflecting a significant shift in public opinion.
While many Spaniards express deep-seated cultural ties to bullfighting, the divide is evident. Some view it as an essential part of Spanish heritage, while others decry it as barbaric. Director Albert Serra, a bullfighting enthusiast, defended his film, asserting that it resonates with audiences despite the backlash from animal rights groups during its premiere at the San Sebastian film festival last year.
Serra remarked, “There are many people who know almost nothing about bullfighting and love the film for what it is, as it offers a space for intellectual and moral reflection. It creates a visceral impact during the viewing and delivers undeniable visual pleasure, even in its terrifying aspects.” He emphasized his intention to craft a compelling narrative while respecting the complexities of the bullfighting tradition.
Aïda Gascon, a leader in the animal rights movement and part of the organization Animanaturalis, is spearheading efforts to repeal a law enacted in 2013 that classified bullfighting as a cultural heritage of Spain, thereby providing it with legal protection against bans. In a recent statement, she highlighted the growing support for this cause, saying, “This will not be easy, but we hope that enough smaller parties are now against bullfighting that we can overturn this legal protection.”
A petition with over 715,000 signatures has been submitted to the Spanish parliament, compelling lawmakers to address the issue. Last year, the government took a significant step by discontinuing a state prize for bullfighting, a decision that angered many supporters of the practice. The Spanish Ministry of Culture, which oversees bullfighting as a recognized form of art, ceased the awards to reflect the evolving social attitudes toward animal rights.
In recent years, animal rights movements have gained substantial traction in Spain, coinciding with a sharp decline in the number of bullfights. According to government statistics, the number of corridas de toros (bullfights) plummeted from 3,651 in 2007 to just 1,546 by 2022, signaling a significant cultural shift.
