Telling the Spanish side of the Gibraltar story

After making the short student film in 2009, I saw that there were three main areas I wanted to improve on as I developed the story into the feature-length film that I'm now working on:

1. Political inequity (lack of representation from the GSD party in Gibraltar)
2. National inequity (lack of Spanish voices in the film)
3. Gender inequity (lack of women in the film)

Each of these areas stung me sorely as I realized how narrow my representation was. I believed that I could tell the story better if I included more diverse voices, and that I could do it in a feature-length timeframe without losing the focus of the original student film.

Thankfully, I have been able to make four additional trips to film in relation to this film, and I have dozens of interviews that are now being worked into the narrative. Peter Caruana, former Chief Minister of Gibraltar, was happy to provide an interview that represented the GSD party. I recorded interviews with many prominent and interesting Spanish people, and I was able to interview a number of influential, thoughtful and eloquent women.

Here are two clips, one with Spanish sculptor Nacho Falgueras, and another with local Spanish government representative Susi Barranco. Neither is yet subtitled, so my apologies to those who don't speak Spanish. When finished, the entire feature-length film will be subtitled in both Spanish and English, with a third option to see no subtitles at all (which we're calling the Llanito version). If anyone would like to add English captions to either of these YouTube videos, the feature is enabled on the clips and I'd be grateful for the volunteer service.

Kaiane Aldorino (Miss World 2009) discusses Culture in Gibraltar

I was able to briefly speak with former Miss World, Kaiane Aldorino, and recorded a brief interview with her. She discussed Gibraltarian culture, as well as some of the common misperceptions about Gibraltar that she encountered as she carried the title of Miss World.

Adrian Pisarello discusses his music & Gibraltarian identity

Rock musician Adrian Pisarello sits above La Caleta and discusses why he wrote "Aquí Nadie Se Lo Traga" and what it means to be Gibraltarian. Here's the song:

Gibraltar Chief Minister Fabian Picardo challenges Spain

On June 15, I had the honor to accompany the recently-elected Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, to the United Nations Committee of 24 meetings on decolonization. I filmed the Chief Minister's speech and have made it available in its entirety on YouTube. It is a stirring and energetic speech that astonished all present at the meetings that morning.



For those of you looking for just some sound bytes, this highlights video is a good place to start.



I filmed a lot more of the Government of Gibraltar's visit to the United States and United Nations Headquarters, but most of that will have to wait for the full documentary, which is coming along.

Phil Valverde sings to his Gibraltar

I filmed Phil Valverde singing this song in March 2011 for "People of the Rock," and this refrain has been stuck in my head ever since:

"Gibraltar, my Gibraltar
Keep your nose clean
From the North side of the border"

He's singing about the period from 1969-1985 when Spain closed the border with Gibraltar as an act of political aggression. In his full interview, Philip discusses how visitors to Gib flew to Tangier and took a boat across the strait to the Rock. Animosity towards Spain flourished and the people of Gibraltar became a very close-knit community.



The film is coming along well. I've recently been invited to attend and film the United Nations Committee of 24 meetings on non-self-governing territories this June in New York. That segment will cover something that a number of people have discussed in their interviews, but showing is so much more powerful than telling in film. The short story is that Fabian Picardo (recently-elected Chief Minister of Gibraltar) will represent Gibraltar before the UN in an attempt to have Gibraltar removed from the UN list of non-self-governing territories (ie, colonies). Spain and the UK will speak as well, and history suggests that sparks will fly.

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Extended Interview: Fabian Picardo

I want to provide longer, more complete interviews for viewers to explore after they have finished watching the film. Most of those interviewed will have an extended clip available online, similar to Andrew Rosindell.

This is one such extended interview with Fabian Picardo, member of the Gibraltar Socialist Labor Party. Segments of this interview will certainly appear scattered throughout the soon-to-be-completed film, but some viewers will want to learn more about the topics he addresses and would like to hear more context surrounding the more brief segments that make their way into the narrative.



Gibraltarian Identity & British Identity: 0:00
Gibraltarian views on Spaniards: 1:47
Decolonising Gibraltar: 3:03
Ceuta & Melilla: 6:14
Gibraltar's future: 9:02

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In Gibraltar, Politics is Football

Allen Bula of the Gibraltar Football Association discusses how international politics spills into football, especially when Spain and Gibraltar are concerned.