Following her return to Ecuador, Juana shares some of her reflections on the importance to her of the events that we organised in London in partnership with Latin American Bureau:
Photo: Conversation with filmmakers (From right to left: Carolina Cal, Lorena Valdes, Juana Francis Bone, Fi Gilligan, and Brianna Barrios)
The presentation of the RECLAMA documentaries at Brixton House, accompanied by spaces for debate and reflection, constitutes a manifestation of important counter-narratives in relation to traditional research versus decolonial research, and the presence of Black women in public, academic and social spaces.
These narratives materialise in audiovisual products that are accessible to the public, which expands their reach and promotes critical dialogue.
The impacts of the project on the beneficiaries and the wider community in Esmeraldas underline the importance of ensuring that collective memory is sustained over time. Likewise, this initiative stands as a valuable contribution to the anti-racist fight from the communities themselves, promoting a space for reflection and empowerment.
The film festival we organized on Sunday 16th June at Brixton House brought together the Latino community and migrants in diaspora, creating a space that allowed us to connect with the memory of peoples on the move. In this context, six films were screened, which represented a significant opportunity to promote dialogue and reflection in a public space, complementing the visit from Ecuador by me and Lorena Valdez, and enabling us to share our reflections on the experience of making the documentaries. The screening of the films not only enriched the wider events held over the weekend, but also made it easier for diverse voices and experiences to be shared and valued in an inclusive environment.
The importance of holding this type of event in public spaces lies in its ability to bring together people from different backgrounds and perspectives, creating a forum where relevant and contemporary issues can be addressed from a critical perspective. By screening the films and facilitating subsequent discussions, we manage not only to raise public awareness of the issues addressed, but also to build a more conscious and active community in the fight against inequality and racism. It is especially relevant that women have been able to come together in a safe space, where sharing experiences and lived realities dignifies collective memory.
In addition, by leveraging a venue like Brixton House, a vibrant cultural hub, we ensured that our message reached a diverse and engaged audience, thus encouraging collaboration and the exchange of ideas. This type of event reinforces the importance of community spaces as platforms for artistic expression and social discussion, contributing to the construction of a collective memory that drives us forward in the expansion of these resources with the community.