Pilar Miro

The former head of Spanish state television, Pilar Miró ranked among Spain's foremost directors. Outside of Spain, Miró remains best-known for her internationally acclaimed sophomore feature, The Cuenca Crime (1971). A graphically violent look at how the Civil Guard tortured victims earlier in the century, the film generated great controversy and was initially banned in a recently democratized Spain. However, authorities did allow Miró's film to represent Spain in the 1980 Berlin Film Festival; that year it won awards at other international festivals. Miró's subsequent efforts have garnered awards in Spain. Between 1982 and 1986, Miró worked for the Socialist government as the director general of cinematography in the Ministry of Culture. From 1986 to 1989, she was the director general of state television RTVE. Miró left in a cloud of scandal after she was accused of using government funds to buy herself a new wardrobe. While Miró admitted that she had indeed bought some clothing with the money, she was never prosecuted and the case was dropped. In 1995, Miró directed television coverage of the wedding of King Juan Carlos' daughter Princess Elena. Just before her death on October 19, 1997, Miró similarly covered the nuptials of Princess Cristina in Barcelona. Miró, who had a long history of coronary ailments and had twice undergone heart surgery, died of a heart attack.

~ Sandra Brennan, All Movie Guide