The City Space of the University of Alicante, located at Ramon y Cajal, 4, opens on Thursday, January 12, a fresh film cycle centered on cinema by Spanish women writers who often take the camera themselves. Coordinated by Jacqueline Cruz, a PhD in Philology with a focus on cinema and literature authored by women, this cycle aims to bring greater visibility to women writers who, despite notable recent successes, still face unequal treatment in the field. Through a carefully chosen slate, the series highlights authors who contribute authorial voices and unique perspectives to the screen, underscoring the importance of female authorship in contemporary cinema.
Do you know these horror movies directed by women?
Three films anchor the cycle’s lineup: Garden of My Prison (2008) by Belén Macías; Return to Hansala (2008) by Chus Gutiérrez; and A Boyfriend for Yasmina (2008) by Irene Cardona. Each title examines social tensions through a distinct lens, exploring how the idea of otherness manifests in different contexts. In Garden of My Prison, the focus is on female prisoners from diverse ethnic and social backgrounds; in Return to Hansala and A Boyfriend for Yasmina, the narrative follows Moroccan immigrant women who navigate life from very different storytelling approaches. Through these stories, the program invites audiences to reflect on identity, belonging, and the human dynamics that emerge under pressure.
Program
January 12 at 18:00 – Women’s prison drama.
summary: The film follows a diverse group of inmates whose lives intersect in surprising ways. They come from various ethnic backgrounds and have different kinds of pasts, lining up a tapestry of friendships, tensions, and moments of solidarity. The arrival of a new prison officer and the creation of a theater group inside the facility open fresh possibilities, challenging routines and offering the prisoners a stage to express themselves and reframe their own stories.
recollection of immigration, racism, and otherness
summary: The narrative centers on Martín, an undertaker who exploits the wreckage of a boat carrying eight victims to keep his business afloat, and Leila, the sister of one of the deceased. Martín and Leila travel to the Moroccan village where the family originated in order to return Leila’s brother’s body and to trace more families who were affected. The journey catalyzes a profound shift in Martín’s views about people and work, revealing how personal transformation can emerge from tragedy.
The cycle also presents a portrait of Moroccan female migration through a lens of romance and humor.
January 26 at 18:00 – Moroccan female migration in the light of a romantic comedy.
summary: Yasmina is a young Moroccan woman pursuing higher education in Spain. She lives with her brother Abdel in a small Extremadura town, works in a grocery store, and volunteers with an immigrant support association. To continue her studies, she must navigate a fiancé requirement under local rules. Her friends propose various solutions as Javi, the municipal police officer with whom she is involved, proves reluctant to play matchmaker. The film uses warmth and humor to explore aspirations, cultural expectations, and the complexities of love across cultures.