What a 17th-Century Play Can Teach Us About Power Today

Can a 17th-century Spanish play really speak to the world we live in now? That’s the powerful question raised by Enrique, Catalina y Calderón, a short documentary directed by Izzy Martinez and produced by Kranky Heads Productions. Using footage from La Cisma de Inglaterra—written by Pedro Calderón de la Barca and directed by the late Margarita Galbán (1936–2023)—this film reframes a centuries-old story as a lens on today’s political and moral dilemmas.

Margarita Galban- 'La Cisma de Inglaterra'

At its core, La Cisma de Inglaterra is about more than King Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church. It’s a drama about power, conscience, and the moral cost of leadership. Calderón’s exploration of authority and resistance feels startlingly current in an age where political divides and institutional overreach dominate the headlines.

Izzy Martinez- 'La Cisma de Inglaterra'

Martinez’s documentary draws bold connections between the past and present: the abuse of power, the clash between faith and law, and the role of individual conscience in the face of systemic control. Queen Catherine of Aragon’s principled resistance echoes the courage of modern voices who stand against injustice.

BFA-'La Cisma de Inglaterra'

The documentary also honors the legacy of Margarita Galbán, whose visionary staging of La Cisma brought depth, beauty, and urgency to Calderón’s classic. Her direction anchors the documentary’s visuals and reminds us of theater’s power to provoke thought and challenge complacency.

Dr Susana H. Araico & Margarita Galban- 'La Cisma de Inglaterra'

In the end, Enrique, Catalina y Calderón is not just a look back—it’s a call to reflect. Through the enduring questions raised by Calderón, this film reminds us that while history may not repeat itself exactly, it often rhymes in ways we can’t afford to ignore.

Enrique Catalina y Calderon Documentary