Memorias aisladas

Director: Dani Curbelo
Release Year: 2016

Memorias Aisladas (2016), a powerful documentary directed by Dani Curbelo, delves into the lives of four individuals from Tenerife, Canary Islands, whose personal stories paint a vivid picture of a reality that has long been forgotten and silenced by the passage of time. Through their voices, this film brings to the forefront a hidden history - one where the lives of people whose sexual orientation or gender identity did not fit within societal norms were marked by discrimination, prejudice, and repression.

 

With a special focus on the 1970s and onward, the documentary explores the struggle for visibility and acceptance during a time when living authentically in one’s sexual identity was fraught with risks. Though Memorias Aisladas premiered at the CanBeGay International LGBTI Film Festival in May 2016, its production was an independent and self-managed endeavor, highlighting the director's passion for preserving and sharing this critical part of the region's history. The documentary offers a glimpse into the harsh realities that individuals faced in Tenerife during a time when expressing a non-conformative sexual orientation or gender identity was not only taboo but often considered criminal. At the heart of the film are the testimonies of four people: Marcela, Marta, Sinuhé, and Luis(a). Their stories serve as windows into a world that many have forgotten or would prefer to erase - a world where being different was dangerous. The experiences of these individuals are narrated against the backdrop of a time marked by societal repression, social stigmas, and legal consequences for those who lived outside conventional gender and sexual expectations.

 

As they reflect on their lives, their voices echo the struggles of countless others who lived in the shadows, forced to conceal their true selves for fear of societal rejection or worse. In their own words, the four protagonists recount the hardships they faced, painting a stark picture of what it was like to exist in a society that pushed people to the margins. Marcela, Marta, Sinuhé, and Luis(a) share memories of a time when there were no spaces for their identities to be seen or heard, and when their very existence was criminalized. As one of them poignantly puts it, "Those were years in black and white. Or rather, in black... and we were all in the dark." The black-and-white era they speak of represents a time of darkness, where lives were hidden from view, and people were forced to suppress their true selves to survive. The themes of repression, dissent, transgression, and courage come together in this documentary to help viewers understand the challenging and often hostile environment in Tenerife and beyond. By presenting the voices of those who lived through these difficult years, Memorias Aisladas becomes an essential exercise in memory and understanding. It provides insight into the struggles of those who defied norms and faced immense societal pressure simply for being who they were. 

 

Dani Curbelo, the director of this poignant audiovisual work, explains that her motivation behind creating the documentary was to give a voice to those whose experiences have largely been erased from collective memory. The testimonies of Marcela, Marta, Sinuhé, and Luis(a) represent a reality that many younger generations have forgotten: the lives of older, sexually diverse individuals who lived in a time when expressing a sexual or gender identity outside the mainstream could result in imprisonment, discrimination, or even worse forms of punishment. Curbelo emphasizes the significance of these personal accounts, stating that Memorias Aisladas seeks not only to give visibility to these identities and experiences but also to highlight that there exists a rich and untold history of trans individuals in particular. By doing so, the documentary aims to bridge the generational gap between older and younger members of the LGBTI community. It provides a space for reflection, sharing, and (re)recognition - an opportunity to understand the past and its impact on the present. One of the documentary’s fundamental goals is to create dialogue between generations within the LGBTI community, encouraging younger individuals to connect with the experiences and memories of those who fought for their right to exist authentically. In this way, Memorias Aisladas serves as both a historical record and a tool for healing and reconciling with the past. Through the stories of the film’s protagonists, viewers gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by the LGBTI community in Tenerife and other regions during the latter half of the 20th century. 

 

The project was not only presented at the CanBeGay Festival but also screened in Madrid, receiving widespread attention and praise for its candid portrayal of the lived realities of those who were marginalized for simply being themselves. In addition to the film, a publication titled Entre Líneas was also released, further enriching the dialogue around the documentary’s themes. Despite the success of the project, Curbelo sees Memorias Aisladas as a work that is still evolving. She expresses openness to future collaborations to continue building on the documentary's message and expanding the collective memory of the LGBTI community. As a visual artist trained in Fine Arts rather than history, journalism, or anthropology, Curbelo acknowledges that the documentary could benefit from the input of a multidisciplinary team to deepen and enrich its narrative further. By collaborating with others in the field, she hopes to accelerate the production and expand the scope of the project, allowing it to reach even more people and preserve more of the stories that have been lost over time. Through this work, Curbelo has demonstrated the power of storytelling and the importance of remembering marginalized histories. Memorias Aisladas is more than just a documentary; it is an act of defiance against historical amnesia. It is a celebration of resilience and courage in the face of adversity, and a reminder that the fight for equality and acceptance is ongoing. 

 

The documentary’s profound impact is reflected not only in the stories of its subjects but also in its role in revitalizing the conversation around sexual and gender identity in the Canary Islands and beyond. In making these lives visible, Curbelo has helped ensure that the legacies of Marcela, Marta, Sinuhé, and Luis(a) will not be forgotten - their voices now echo loudly, offering invaluable lessons for future generations. In addition to its powerful narratives, Memorias Aisladas also serves as a crucial point of reference for the broader LGBTI rights movement. By documenting a chapter in history that is often left untold, the film contributes to the ongoing struggle for recognition, acceptance, and justice for sexual and gender minorities worldwide. The bravery of those who lived through this turbulent time, as shared through the testimonies in Memorias Aisladas, stands as a testament to the power of resistance and the importance of creating spaces where every individual can be their true self. Ultimately, Memorias Aisladas is an essential work of both historical and cultural significance, offering an intimate and powerful lens through which to examine the struggles of sexual and gender minorities in the past and the continuing fight for equality today.

 

via: Vimeo

 teatenerife.es

Image credits: Vimeo