A Dish of Spain for The Devil's Backbone

This Month's Special: Paella.

Welcome once again to the Diner, please take a seat where you like. 

The Devil's Backbone is a 2001, Spanish movie written and directed by the amazing Guillermo del Toro who originally wrote the script while still in film school. It would seem he has always been an exceptional creator and if you don't recognize his name, you should become acquainted. He's worked on movies you've probably enjoyed (Hellboy, Pacific Rim, The Hobbit, Megamind to name a few). Now because this movie was filmed in Spain we felt a Spanish Special would be appropriate to serve our patrons, however not everyone enjoys shellfish or seafood. So to make it more accessible we've whipped up the Americanized version of this dish. You can find our recipe and information about Paella after the review.

This film has the plot of a traditional ghost story instead of being gory or full of around the corner scares. It's similar to Pan's Labyrinth where the dramatic story takes the head and the supernatural is weaved throughout; this is because Guillermo del Toro made them as brother and sister movies. So if you liked Pan's Labyrinth, you'll likely enjoy The Devil's Backbone and vice versa.

This movie contained: Vulgarity, Murder, and a dash of Sexual Content.

The civil war was a brutal period for many in Spain, and this film takes a look at it from the view of an orphaned boy, Carlos (Fernando Tielve), the son of a soldier. He is left at a hidden republican orphanage for boys by his former tutor where he quickly becomes acquainted with the other boys and learns how things go. The orphanage is run by leftist supporters, Doctor Casares (Federico Luppi) and Carmen (Marisa Paredes) who care for the boys, aided by a teacher named Conchita (Irene Visedo), and the cruel grounds keeper and previous tenant at the orphanage, Jacinto (Eduardo Noriega). Eventually Carlos learns of the child ghost haunting the orphanage, Santi (Junio Valverde), whom the other boys mention through out the film except for one of the older boys, Jamie (Inigo Garces), who avoids the topic. Meanwhile Jacinto plots to steal gold the caretakers have hidden in a safe within the orphanage wall and violently prevents the boys from going into a storage room. It's a difficult plot to describe without revealing too much as so many things have their own role.

It's a story about people living during a turbulent time. Those who are alive struggle, and those who die needlessly become ghosts and are no longer part of the real world, making them less dangerous than the living. This is the idea of the movie. Jacinto, who was an orphan himself and has nothing, becomes the embodiment of desperate greed - even Jamie and Dr. Casares succumb to a want for vengeance because of circumstances. While Santi frightens the orphans he doesn't cause harm or have poltergeist abilities (such as moving objects), he is simply whats left of an unfortunate situation brought on by the living. The living's circumstances and subsequent desires are the true horror in this film.

Overall - Great Magic Realism Film
It requires you to pay attention since there is always something happening. There are different layers to this movie which makes it really interesting, and it's neat to see it take place during such a harsh period in history. Rather than taking a purely supernatural or gory route, del Toro went with something closer to realism that makes you look at humanity under a harsh light.

Chop Block Diner Recommends This Film if you don't mind something more realistic. And now for some Paella!

 

 

Recipe - Paella (6 servings) 

Recipe - Paella (6 servings) 

Traditionally paella is made with seafood (prawns, clams/mussels, certain fish, lobster, etc.) or rabbit and snails. Our Diner recipe is the Americanized version in order to cater to our patrons. It should be noted that while Saffron is quite pricey, it's the KEY ingredient in paella and should not be skipped. There are other ingredients from traditional paella left out here as well: Tomato (diced), 1/2 - 1 cup Fresh or Frozen Green Peas, and 1/3 cup Artichoke Hearts. The tomato should be added at the same time as the onion and garlic, and the green peas and artichoke hearts with the red sweet pepper.

Ingredients

2 Chicken Breasts, chopped or shredded

3 Chorizo Sausages, chopped

2 - 3 cups Uncooked Rice

3 - 4 cups Chicken Stock

2 tbsp Olive Oil

2 1/2 tsp Saffron Threads

2 cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Paprika

1 tsp Parsley

1/2 tsp Oregano

Rosemary, just a little

1/4 cup Water

1/3 - 1/2 cup Spanish or White Onion, chopped

1 Sweet Red Pepper, sliced

• Before you get started you'll want to rinse the rice in cold water and let the 1/2 tsp Saffron Threads sit in 1/4 cup hot Water. Use a small measuring bowl or cup if you have it. Also season the Chicken with the Oregano and Rosemary.


• Heat the oil and cook the Chicken and Sausage in a Paella pan (if you're fancy and have one) or a large skillet on medium - high heat. What Diner have you been to with a Paella pan?


• Once the meat is cooked, push it to the sides of the pan and add the Onions and Garlic. Cook until they soften then add in the Chicken Stock, Paprika, Parsley, and Saffron. Turn up the heat so the mixture begins to boil.


• Now that you've got a boil going, stir in the Rice with the meat and veggies and let it cook in the liquid. This should take a little while as it's uncooked rice. You may cover it if you have a large enough lid or add more chicken stock if needed.


•  Give it a stir to make sure the rice is cooked and turn the heat down to low. Add your Peppers on top and let them cook into it for a few minutes. After that it's ready to serve from the pan.