Terrorist-Turned-Entrepreneur: Basque Masculinities in Fe de etarras

This essay examines representations of masculinity in Fe de etarras (2017), a dark comedy film directed by Borja Cobeaga and written by Cobeaga and Diego San José. This film is groundbreaking in its comedic treatment of the Basque separatist terrorist organization ETA, which permanently dissolved five months after the film's release. This essay situates the film in the context of ETA's disbandment, a turning point in Basque-Spanish relations and Basque cultural production, as well as during Spain's ongoing economic and political crises. Fe de etarras serves as an example of how Spain's post-ETA (Euskadi Ta Askatasuna [Basque Homeland and Freedom]) recessionary culture envisions economic recovery and unification as hinging on a particular masculine ideal. By tracing the protagonist's redemptive arc from ETA terrorist to Madrid-based business owner, this essay shows how the film promotes entrepreneurial Basque masculinity while disposing of the competing warrior ideal that has died out with ETA. In Fe de etarras, the conversion of the obsolete, terrorist holdout into entrepreneur is key to Spain's recovery. This essay links the film's conservative gender politics to its limited reimagining of Basque identity, contending that the film exemplifies how commercial cultural products preserve the status quo during moments of transition.