Cuerpos

I first became interested in the period of time just after the Spanish Civil War upon hearing stories told to me while visiting San Martín de Trevejo, Extremedura, four years ago. I first went to Spain when I was 6, hiking across the Pyrenees into Catalonia with my dad and sisters, but it was my partner’s parents, and hearing about the vibrant and rich world that surrounded them, that got me amazed and captivated by such a beautiful place, culture and people. Hearing about its wounds however, it’s divided history, made me think on the struggle people faced and the moral dilemmas they found themselves in, especially within such a rural, isolated and polarised setting.

Researching the Spanish Civil War, it’s background and fallout, made me acutely aware of issues that are as important to recognise now as they were back then; of how easy it is to dehumanise those marked as other and how easy it is to regress out of fear, specifically in regards to that of women. It made me think of who I would have been amongst it all… If I had been born in that difficult time, into prejudice and a different morality, would I have been any better? Would I have been strong enough? To be honest, the answer to that question scares me - I don’t think I would have been but crucially, these learnings, of individual action and consequence and terrible circumstance, made me want to explore individuals that are often lost track of within the wider picture and the strength of those who have lost but must go on.

These learnings tied into two separate questions I already had. One, I had developed after seeing a painting called ‘The Coop’ by Paula Reno; after having grown up amongst 3 full and 3 stepsister, I hold dearly the right for them to choose and dictate their own future - but with actions such as the repeal of Roe v Wade, the rising machoism on the world stage and the question of whether their individual right would be regressed upon, made me think of whether they could be put in such a position again? As seen following the Spanish Civil war, it did - amongst restrictions, fierce conventions and antiquated repression, a future and the right to choose was taken away. What does someone effected by that do after the fight has been fought and lost?

Second, I had developed after thinking on duty and expectation in a dangerous time. When a lady or lord of the land dies, what happens to the household staff? What do they do within that new crisis? How does morality play into their actions when an opportunity arises, especially those of the most vulnerable within such a difficult time? Can you blame them for taking it? I think not; I think they deserve what little they can fight for.

And so the idea of setting the stage for a character who has had soo much taken away from them and in a position outside her control, who suddenly finds themselves in a moment of crucial decision, and potential freedom - even if temporary - was a very interesting situation that explores these questions. And so, armed with both the research and gracia of countless people, we have been lucky enough to push forward and tell this story in the way it was initially envisioned; shooting in San Martin, working with those who inspired it, and with the collaboration of soo many talented and incredible people across Europe.

In a desperate situation, a group of people take a small step to try and secure a future for themselves. Can they hold onto their empathy amongst the choices they have to make...