Cande Lázaro’s ‘The Shepherdess,’ Resurrecting Famed Spanish Maqui Florenci Pla, Casts ‘Money Heist’s’ Alba Flores (EXCLUSIVE)

As a seasoned movie critic with a keen eye for stories that challenge societal norms and push the boundaries of representation, I am eagerly anticipating “The Shepherdess.” The cast alone, featuring Alba Flores, La Dani, and Julio Hu Chen, is a testament to the film’s commitment to inclusivity.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Alba Flores, famously known for her role as Nairobi in “Money Heist,” along with the new Goya Award nominees La Dani and Julio Hu Chen, are set to grace the screen in Cande Lázaro’s upcoming film, “The Shepherdess.” This promising production is one to watch, potentially shining at this year’s Locarno Match Me! co-production forum.

Flores was also the lead in the hit series “Locked Up,” playing the character Saray Vargas, set within a female penitentiary.

Dani, a versatile performer recognized as both a singer and actor, secured a 2024 Goya nomination for “Love & Revolution,” a film critically acclaimed; on the same awards stage, Hu Chen, a Spanish actor of Chinese descent, received his nomination for “Chinas.” His character and acting in this movie challenged traditional stereotypes about Chinese immigrants in Spain. In fact, he was one of the initial Spanish actors of Chinese heritage to receive an Academy nod.

This keynote of inclusivity runs through “The Shepherdess.”

In this fictional work, we bring back the character of the intersexual woman, Florci Pla, and initiate a conversation between her and Candelario Lázaro, the movie’s director, who is depicted in the film as going through both the physical and bureaucratic process of transition.

In 2024, I’m honored to share that my film, “The Shepherdess,” has been chosen for the esteemed San Sebastian’s Ikusmira Berriak development program – a significant milestone in my journey as a filmmaker. What makes this achievement even more special is that our production and directing team at Mansalva Films, consisting of producer Charli Bujosa Cortés and director Lázaro, both non-binary trans individuals, marks the first time such a duo has led a Spanish production. This groundbreaking team is weaving a tale inspired by a real historical figure, as noted by Bujosa herself. As a cinema devotee, I’m thrilled to be part of this pioneering venture.

In the realm of cinema, I find myself captivated by the story of an individual born intersex in 1917 – a soul named Pla. Raised as a girl and sent to tend sheep in the Eastern Spanish hills, life was already challenging for Pla. However, the tide turned when the husband of the estate owner was apprehended, brutally tortured, and ultimately executed by authorities. This horrific event was followed by an even more humiliating incident where a Civil Guard stripped Pla naked, mocking his unique physique.

For 18 months, he pursued becoming a man, a desire long held, despite being vilified and labeled as a monstrous figure under the Franco regime’s propaganda machinery. The myth portrayed him as La Pastora, a woman who supposedly devoured children, according to popular folklore.

“The biography titled ‘The Shepherdess’ isn’t your typical one. Instead, it weaves together the lives of Pla and director Lázaro, allowing Florenci to seemingly navigate through both space and time; moving between mountains and cities, as well as traveling between the past and present. At the same time, Florenci experiences his years with the maquis and Lázaro’s transition, as the synopsis suggests.”

Lázaro, as well as Pla, will perform together. Their dialogue will predominantly revolve around their shared explorations of identity. It’s worth noting that director Bujosa insists the movie isn’t intense drama; instead, it carries a lighthearted, playful tone.

Furthermore, this film portrays a down-to-earth perspective on intersexuality. “We all inhabit the same world, occupy common spaces, and experience both harm and affection. The complexities are often deceiving, but it’s essential to remember that simplicity is key, as the producer emphasized.”

Nor do Lázaro and Bujosa want to make a film that is black-and-white.

From 1960 to 1977, Pla was imprisoned for his involvement in the murder of 29 people while he was part of the maquis. However, in 1977, as part of a general amnesty, he was released from prison and welcomed into the family of a prison guard. Today, Pla is celebrated as a hero of the Spanish resistance movement, with a street in his hometown named after him.

“We’re not claiming that the present surpasses the past or cities outshine villages; each has had its fair share of wonderful moments. When Florenci entered the maqui, people generally accepted it. Now, we find ourselves needing to repeat our explanations countless times.”

The essence of Pla’s life lies in the completely understandable and strikingly humane nature of his life choices, which he effortlessly conveyed during the limited interviews he conducted.

“Bujosa shared that they adapt Florenci’s tale according to their style, subtly rather than dramatically. Their goal at Mansalva Films is not to limit ‘queer’ content to a specific niche, but instead, strive for widespread audience distribution.”

2024-08-01 12:18

Cande Lázaro’s ‘The Shepherdess,’ Resurrecting Famed Spanish Maqui Florenci Pla, Casts ‘Money Heist’s’ Alba Flores (EXCLUSIVE)

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