In the month of July, Vimeo by Instituto Cervantes the channel will air the short film series councillors, SHOWS eight LGTBI+ animation stories made by various Basque filmmakers. This film cycle brings to light personal narratives, reflections, and testimonies that explore themes of gender identity, homosexual love, and transsexuality, focusing on a genre that is often underrepresented in cinema.
The series will begin on July 5 and 6 with the screening of the 8-minute animation film “Azaletik avraje” (2021) by Mel Arranz. This award-winning short film captures physical intimacy through detailed shots, depicting skin-to-skin contact—a representation rarely explored in live-action cinema. The film will be available for 48 hours through the following link: https://vimeo.com/824067226. The series continues on July 8 and 9 with “La mesa” (Adrian García Gómez, 2019), a short film that challenges the portrayal of men, love, and masculinity. The movie can be accessed at https://vimeo.com/827926201.
In the second week of the cycle, on July 12 and 13, the animated short film “Always couplets for the night before” (2016), directed by different filmmakers, sheds light on male violence and abuse against women. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/824069808. On July 15 and 16, directors Paco Ramirez and Tanya O’Carroll present their short film “Thara” (2018), a documentary depicting the life and challenges of a Honduran transsexual woman. The film can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/830183775.
During the third week, on July 19 and 20, the animated documentary “Dejarse crecer el cuerpo” (2022) by Andrea Gudiño will be shown. This documentary features six real testimonies from individuals with non-binary gender identities and provides a fascinating exploration of identity, body, and love. It can be viewed at https://vimeo.com/827934522. Following this film is “Ezohikoak” (2022, Alejandra Bueno), which examines the roles of women in Basque culture. It will be shown on July 22 and 23 at https://vimeo.com/824069976.
In the last week of the film cycle, on July 26 and 27, “Garelako” (2015, Usue Egia) will be presented—an uplifting call for the freedom to define oneself and live as one wants. It can be accessed at https://vimeo.com/828266180. Finally, the animated documentary “Makun” (2015, Emilio Martí) exposes the harsh reality of detention centers for foreigners who seek refuge to express their true selves. This film will end the cycle on July 29 and 30, and can be found at https://vimeo.com/827930587.
The films, presented by the Instituto Cervantes in collaboration with the Zinegoak Film Festival, are in Spanish or Basque with English subtitles. Entry is free. For more information and updates on this film series, please visit Instituto Cervantes’ Facebook site (www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila) or the event page: https://www.facebook.com/events/222136474040685.
For more information about the cultural program of the Instituto Cervantes, please visit the Instituto Cervantes website (http://manila.cervantes.es) or the Facebook page of the Instituto Cervantes www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.
