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The Spanish film MUYERES, which has been nominated for Main Competition of the Golden Goblet Awards at the 25th Shanghai International Film Festival, had its world premiere in Shanghai. The audience was deeply impressed by this unique black-and-white film. At the press conference on June 16, the film’s creators explained, “The film explores the preservation of traditional culture in the northern region of Spain. The use of black and white represents the past and hope for the future respectively. We aim to connect the past and the future through this poetic visual tone, ensuring the continuity of heritage from one generation to the next.”
The Asturias region in northern Spain has an oral history of over 500 years. Passed down through generations by local women based on their memories, it encompasses folk songs and legends. With the passage of time, immigration, and changing values, this cultural tradition faces the challenge of losing successors, with Constantina and Irene being the last ones. Renowned Spanish musician Raül Refree was inspired by this story during his fieldwork in the region. He said, “Upon returning to Barcelona, I contacted director Marta Lallana and proposed the idea of making a film to document the local folklore and disappearing music.”
Like all cultured individuals committed to preserving endangered traditional cultures, Raül Refree described the traditional way of life in remote regions of Spain as “exceptionally pure.” He added, “You can still hear the sounds of the fields, the sounds of nature, and your neighbors singing. However, as Spain enters the modern era, people are surrounded by industrial machinery, gradually losing that ancient innocence. Making these movies is a way to reconnect everyone with the essence of Spanish traditional culture and folklore.”
Director Marta Lallana embraced Refree’s idea, stating, “We feel a historical responsibility to preserve Spain’s traditional cultural heritage, and we also want to share these traditions with the world.” Instead of making a pure documentary, she opted for a narrative approach. In the film, she cast Raül Refree as the protagonist, playing himself as a composer. Marta explained, “He serves as the narrator, delving into the lives of the two inheritors as he explores the oral history and connecting the entire story through his storytelling.”
Raül Refree seamlessly integrated into the narrative, expressing his joy at meeting the inheritors of this historical and cultural legacy. He stated, “These women, through their songs and voices, express love wherever they go, bringing joy to the young people who are part of this journey and imparting a sense of responsibility for preserving history. During creation, I approached them with a learning mindset.”
At the beginning, director Marta Lallana prepared a detailed shooting script for the entire cast. However, during the filming process, she discovered that many of them were not professional actors and desired to express their genuine emotions rather than follow scripted gestures and expressions. She remarked, “During the actual shooting, they would even express their feelings by sending small gifts. The whole process was more like a real-life experience rather than a performance.” This creative approach made the audience feel “authentic” at the premiere in Shanghai.
Another distinct feature of MUYERES lies in its editing. Since the film revolves around inheriting ancient music, the editor, Nila, who also played a role in the film, employed a significant amount of “conflicting” editing techniques. She explained, “We want to convey both the traditional customs and the urban restlessness through modern sound effects. By juxtaposing these contrasting elements, the film highlights the theme of ‘sounds of heritage’. Through this contrast, we can express the hope of forever cherishing beautiful things.”