Audiovisual archives are the perfect medium to revisit fragments of the past. Perhaps we can look at pictures, paintings, or photographs to see the visualization of events that once occurred. We can also read writings or listen to sound recordings to understand things that have happened. However, in order to see the history in the present through moving pictures and sound, we can discover it through audiovisual archives.
In The Maestrat on Film (Fermín Sales, 2023), Fermín Sales assembles audiovisual archives of visual imagery from the towns of Albocàsser, Benassal, and Catí in a short documentary. The narration of the storyteller in this documentary becomes the backbone to assemble the archive. Each constellation of audiovisual archives shows its origin, context of creation, and scope with its own characteristics.
The 16-minute documentary is divided into six acts, each with its own narrative. The chapters are organized sequentially through interrelated contexts:the movie. There is a very touching question when we slowly follow the moving pictures throughout this film, is this a real picture or just a representation of some moments in history?
More than just a visual display of past events in Spain, The Maestrat on Film (2023) brings us to reinterpret the importance of audiovisual archives. It reminds us of how crucial each event and its reproduction is. It is also what can ultimately give value to the recorded events and their representations in present-day life, both in terms of scope, traditions, rituals, and manners.
The Maestrat on Film (2022) is selected in Docs Docs: Short! Festival Film Dokumenter 2023. (Ahmad Radhitya Alam) (Vanis)
Film Details
The Maestrat on Film (El Maestrat Filmat)
Fermín Sales | 16 Minutes | 2022 | Spain | Color | 17+
Screening Schedule
12.05 | Auditorium IFI-LIP | 14.30 WIB
12.08 | Gedung ex Bioskop Permata | 15.30 WIB
