A Spanish documentary about the diplomat and politician Pedro Pablo Abarca de Bolea, the tenth Count of Aranda, was presented on 10 November in Washington “El embajador que cambió la historia” by Mirella R. Abrisqueta explores the role played by Spain in the independence of the United States The screening at the cultural centre of the Spanish Embassy took place in the year of the 250th anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence.
According to the Embassy’s cultural department, the 71-minute film was shown in Spanish with English subtitles. A discussion with the director and historians Thomas E. Chavez and Barbara Zepeda was scheduled to follow. The cultural department presented the event as part of its programme for the United States anniversary.
Aranda was born in 1719 in Siétamo, in what is now the province of Huesca. He was a soldier, politician and diplomat, headed the Council of Castile and represented Spain at the French court. In Versailles, he met Benjamin Franklin and argued for supporting the North American colonists against Great Britain, elDiario.es reports. In 1783, he signed agreements on behalf of Spain as part of the Peace of Paris, which brought the war to an end.
Abrisqueta says she wants to bring attention to a contribution to the history of American independence that she believes receives too little recognition. At the same time, the film is not intended to portray Aranda as an unreservedly heroic figure. The director describes him to elDiario.es as an enlightened advocate of scientific progress, but also as an authoritarian politician who came into conflict with other power groups.
The documentary also examines the interests behind Spain’s support. The monarchy helped the insurgents against its British rival, while itself ruling a colonial empire in America. According to the director, the support included, among other things, silver from American territories of the Spanish Empire as well as military resources.
Another question concerns a secret memorandum attributed to Aranda about the future power of the United States. The historian José Antonio Escudero has questioned its authorship, according to elDiario.es; the film draws on his research. According to the report, 14 experts from Spain, France and the United States appear in the production. Filming took place, among other locations, in Zaragoza as well as at other historic sites.
Editor: Mira Cadena (Article created with AI assistance).