Director: Carolina Espinoza and Víctor Hugo Robles
Release Year: 2023
On April 22, 1973, a group of openly gay individuals in Chile made a bold stand against social discrimination and police repression under the government of Salvador Allende. This historic protest marked a pivotal moment in the long and ongoing struggle for the rights of sexual minorities in Chile. The individuals involved, along with the iconic "Che of the Gays," have come together 50 years later to recall this remarkable and unforgettable event.
"Las Locas del 73" (2023), a documentary directed by Carolina Espinoza and Víctor Hugo Robles, brings this story to the forefront, offering a detailed and deeply moving account of the first LGBT protest in Chile. The protest took place on April 22, 1973, in Santiago’s Plaza de Armas. This date coincided with the final Semana Santa (Holy Week) under Allende’s government during the Unidad Popular (Popular Unity) period. On that same day, as the right-wing group Patria y Libertad set off a bomb at the monument to Che Guevara in San Miguel, another group - comprising young, transgender sex workers - decided to break the silence and stand up against the prevalent police abuse. They demanded political and civil rights that were conspicuously absent from Allende's socialist revolution. At the time, the protest was met with astonishment and swift repression. The media condemned the demonstrators with homophobic rhetoric, casting them as undesirables in society. The act of resistance by these brave individuals became a symbolic moment in the fight for LGBT rights in Chile, yet it was largely ignored by the political mainstream of the era. The filmmakers of "Las Locas del 73" describe the protest as a cry for freedom amidst an unprecedented political transformation - one that, unfortunately, did not include the voices of sexual minorities. In the context of Chile's 1970s, the protest was a radical and revolutionary act that challenged not only societal norms but also the exclusionary political discourse of the time.
Despite the courage shown by the participants - who included figures such as La Eva, La Raquel, La Larguero, La Romané, La José Caballo, La Vanesa, La Fresia Soto, La Confort, La Natacha, La Peggy Cordero, La Marcela, and La Gitana - their fight for LGBT rights faced a harsh and tragic setback. On September 11, 1973, the military coup overthrew the Allende government, plunging the country into a brutal dictatorship. The coup resulted in widespread torture, deaths, and forced disappearances, which severely affected all forms of political activism, including the LGBT rights movement. For decades, the voices of those who had participated in the 1973 protest were silenced, their stories largely ignored. However, as Espinoza and Robles point out, the fight for sexual diversity rights in Chile would eventually revive, taking shape through colorful and defiant marches that helped reshape the country's political and social landscape.
The documentary, a Chilean production released in 2023, serves as a crucial contribution to this ongoing journey toward visibility, justice, and repair for LGBT individuals who suffered under the military dictatorship. Directed by Carolina Espinoza and Víctor Hugo Robles, the film premiered on April 22, 2023, at the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago, Chile. The date marked the 50th anniversary of the historic LGBT protest in Plaza de Armas, and the film was part of the commemoration of this landmark event in the country’s history. Through a combination of interviews with key participants such as "La Medallita," Marcela Dimonti, Brenda, and Marco Ruiz, the documentary provides firsthand accounts of the 1973 protest. These testimonies are juxtaposed with the media coverage of the time, which employed derogatory language and perpetuated harmful stereotypes against the LGBT community.
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The documentary’s aim is not only to shed light on this forgotten chapter of history but also to contribute to the broader process of recognition and restitution for the individuals whose lives were marked by violence during the dictatorship. Víctor Hugo Robles has emphasized that the documentary's goal is to highlight the struggles and resilience of the LGBT community in Chile, particularly those who endured state violence. He explains that "Las Locas del 73" is part of the ongoing journey of reclaiming the dignity and rights of sexual minorities in Chile. The documentary’s direction was a collaborative effort between Carolina Espinoza and Víctor Hugo Robles, with Miguel Cuitiño serving as the director of photography and Miguel Ángel González handling the editing. The soundtrack features music by Fresia Soto and Los Golpes, adding a distinct cultural flavor to the film. Following its premiere in April 2023, "Las Locas del 73" has been showcased at various film festivals, including the Amor Festival, where it has received positive feedback for its powerful storytelling and timely message.
"Las Locas del 73" is more than just a historical account of the first LGBT protest in Chile. It is a tribute to the courage and resilience of the individuals who, against all odds, stood up for their rights. It is also a reminder of the importance of remembering and honoring the struggles of marginalized communities. Through this documentary, Espinoza and Robles have created a lasting tribute to the pioneers of Chile’s LGBT rights movement and contributed to the broader conversation about the ongoing fight for equality and justice. As Chile continues to grapple with its past and work toward a more inclusive future, "Las Locas del 73" serves as both a historical document and a call to action for the generations that will follow.
Image credits: YouTube
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