The subject of ETA has always been a sensitive one in Spain, but never more so than now, following the breakdown of the movement's 14-month ceasefire and its recent return to violence.

Spaniards overwhelmingly want ETA to end its campaign of violence

Most Spanish film directors have previously skirted around the issue of ETA and its violent 30-year campaign for an independent homeland in which more than 800 people have been killed.

But the director of Yoyes, Helena Taberna, has tackled the issue full on and so far won glowing praise from many Spanish film critics.

One says that the human side of an ETA member has been tackled for the first time. Another that all those who value freedom should value Ms Taberna's film.

Ms Taberna herself says Yoyes is not a documentary but a fictional film based on true events. She calls it a contemporary tragedy - one woman's story based on her right to change and on the times she lived in.

Ceasefire hopes dashed

Ms Taberna is from the northern city of Pamplona in the region of Navarra, which neighbours the Basque region and has often been involved in the conflict.

She said at first it was difficult to get funding for her work, an Italian, French and Spanish co-production, but did eventually receive help from the Basque regional government.

The film was made during ETA's ceasefire when there was widespread optimism that a permanent end to the Basque conflict could be negotiated.

Those hopes were dashed with two bomb attacks, which left three people dead, earlier this year.

These events mean that many ordinary Spaniards will now view Yoyes very differently to how they might have done just a few months ago.