We lose when dividing: management and conflict of the communal forest in Galician documentary films

Abstract

Galician cinema, deeply rooted in rurality, reflects the essential features of the Galician landscape, where nature and community management of forestlands are recurring themes. Covering 48% of the region, Galician forestlands, most of which are private property, include land jointly owned by residents, managed collectively by local communities without individual shares. These forests, regulated by Spanish legislation, are inalienable and imprescriptible, a fact that underscores their social and cultural importance. Galician documentary films have explored these questions, from the traditional use of land for livestock to contemporary conflicts over expropriation and speculation. Documentaries such as O monte é noso and As Encrobas: A ceo aberto capture the struggle of communities to preserve their heritage against reforestation policies and industrial development. In response to rural flight and depopulation, multidimensional strategies have been proposed, including economic incentives and improvements to infrastructure and digital connectivity. In recent years, the local film movement known as Novo Cinema Galego has continued to present rural life and Galician landscapes, although it has sometimes been criticised for perpetuating romantic national stereotypes. In short, Galician films not only document conflicts over the land, but also advocate for local sovereignty and biodiversity, highlighting the importance of sustainable, community-led management of the natural environment.