Francisco Betriú on AllMovie

Spanish filmmaker Francisco Betriu established his reputation with several critically acclaimed shorts during the '60s and '70s and then branched out into feature films, beginning with Corázon Solitario/Lonely Heart (1973). Before becoming a filmmaker, Betriu studied sociology, pharmacy, and political science at the Universidad de Barcelona. While serving a mandatory stint in the Spanish army during the 1950s, Betriu was stationed in Africa and helped stage shows for troops. Upon his discharge, he lived in Madrid and wrote articles for the movie magazine Fotogramas. Entering the Escuela Oficial de Cinematografia in 1967, Betriu proved a controversial figure and due to his politics was expelled before completing his second course. Undaunted, he and Francisco Daunis created their own production company, In-Scram, in 1969 and then made numerous, critically successful short films. Following Betriu's feature debut, he found his subsequent efforts during the 1970s hindered by censorship, so he often worked in television instead.