las mujeres de guzMÁN
(tHE WOMEN FROM GUZMÁN)
documentary film & graphic novel
Christiane Northrup
synopsis
GRAPHIC NOVEL
LAS MUJERES DE GUZMÁN is a work of excavation.
I dig into the events of my family history, focusing on my grandmother Libia, who died 20 years back and her sister, my great-aunt Silvia. The film highlights my grandmother's tenacious personality and the way she raised 11 children while she released her frustration and guilt when she found herself immersed in situations of scarcity and abandonment.
The film follows a narrative structure, tracing events mainly through my great-aunt interviews when visiting her hometown in Colombia after nearly fifty-two years spent away in the United States.
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GROMPY GRANDMA
SATURIA FANDIÑO DE GUZMÁN
/// MY GREAT-GRANDMOTHER...
At the age of thirteen, she was married to her oldest cousin Pedro Guzmán. She gave birth to ten children, of which only three survived. The rest died during labour or as infants. Devoutly catholic, Saturia attends mass every Sunday to pray for the salvation of her children's souls. Doña Saturia is a passive, introverted woman who rarely speaks. Due to so much suffering, her face has forged anguish and melancholic expressions. Saturia regularly wears a veil that covers her thick long braid and wide open dresses that hide her belly.
libia guzmÁN
saturias & Pedro's oldest daughter
/// MY GRANDMOTHER...
Pedro's favourite and oldest daughter. At the age of thirteen, she was the best horse rider in the region and one of the most desired woman to be married. She is one of the few young women in town who wears colourful dresses made of delicate foreign fabrics sold in the capital. By her father's order, they can only held their mom with specific domestic tasks
MAIN CHARACTERS
PEDRO guzmÁN (MY GREAT GRANDFATHER)
/// MY GRANDFATHER...
One of the richest "Liberal" figures in the state of Tolima. He is a forty-something man who always wears a black-felt hat, a dark tie, and a well-defined thin moustache. He is strict and quickly loses his temper with the employees whom he treats as pawns. Pedro owns billiards, liquor stores, cockfighting rings, and seven farms that produce coffee and plantains. Driven by his narcissistic personality and an intense need for prestige, he demands respect, and has a strict moral code of loyalty to friends and, above all, family. Although he has a reputation for ruthlessness, he considers Felix, the wealthy neighbour's son as his own. They have been partners for three years.
LAS MUJERES DE guzmÁN
"Las Mujeres de Guzmán"- portrays women ́s life conditions and roles during the 1920 ́s in COLOMBIA. This project was undertaken to reveal and explain why the women of my family repeat patterns of submissive behaviours, although the socio-political context of the country has changed. Besides, It is worth mentioning that, initially, this project began as an attempt to develop an animated documentary.
OLGA SANTAFé
MY SECOND AUNTIE...
"The punishments lasted from the age of 7 until I was 18 years old. I remember when I was ten years, she used to say that during Easter, specifically, on a holy Thursday. We had to take a bath in the afternoon so as not to bathe on Friday, because on Friday we had to commemorate Jesus death and we weren't allowed to take a bath; otherwise, one would become a "fish." but one day I took a one -hour bath. While I was taking the shower I looked at my feet to make sure there was no tail coming out of them."
A STORY INSIDE THE STORY...
My mom was familiar with a story her dad shared while growing up. Once "Maria Jesus" hid a jar full of gold coins underground; On top of the vessel, she planted a bush of "Lilies." Nobody knew why she secretly did this; however, when she wanted to show it to her son, "Maria Jesus" suffered a stroke. She died and her son Pedro Guzman never knew where the Guaca-(a term commonly used in Colombia to defined treasure) was.After she died, for several months during the nights, he heard footsteps of mules and horses. He could never find the coins and finally, rented the house. The tenants saw flashes of light coming from the lilies.
One day they looked and dig. Surprisingly, they found the -Guaca- and bought the farm from PEDRO GUZMÁN.
about santafÉ
Graphic Designer (Kolumbien)
Media Art & Design MFA (Deutschland)
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Phone: +49 17665682582
mafesantafe@gmail.com
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