GERNIKA LIVES, the documentary

On April 26, 1987 during the 50th Anniversary of the Bombing of Guernica-Lumo, its silenced survivors finally narrate their personal stories of that horrific day for my very personal and instinctual video documentary titled, Gernika Lives. This was the first aerial bombing on an innocent population in world history. Gernika is the emblem of Euskalerria, the Basque region in Northern Spain, and Southern France. My father told me that after the destruction, Spain's Fascist regime forced Guernica's survivors to falsify the truth of their reality and prohibited them to speak their language (unrelated to Spanish) in an attempt to abolish Basque identity, known for representing the indigenous peoples of Europe. This bombing apocalypse was not only a practice trial prior to WWII but served to threaten Euskadi, and Republican Spain 

Prior to Gernika's bombing, when my aita was barely three, his family's comfortable chalet in Barakaldo was appropriated by the Fascist Nationalists. Having been left homeless they were forced to flee on cargo trains to France, and then to Barcelona until their return to the shattered remains of Guernica where they settled.

Written, directed, narrated, produced, and co-edited by Begonya Plaza
A co-production with K2000 in Bizkaia
Edited with Jack Tucker (Emmy winning editor)
Music by Xeberri and other distinguished Basque musicians (included in the film credits).
Film introduced by John Randolph (actor / activist, victim of McCarthyism)
Featuring: Basque artist/author Luis Iriondo, and historian, author Mario de Salegi
Dedicated to my father: Jesus Plaza

In Spanish, and Euskera with English Voice-Over & subtitles. 39".

ON VIMEO

GUERNICA by Pablo Picasso

In my early twenties I embarked on this passionate documentary adventure wanting to capture the voices and essence of Gernika's surviving witnesses. Each expresses his own profound traumatic memory, vividly painful still. As a child I would hear my aita (father) tell me stories of atrocities he, and his family endured during the constant air raids, and the Spanish Civil War. I would sit on his lap and watch his tears run down his cheeks, as he apologized for his traumatized fragility.

Reviews

Dear Begonya

Thank you so much for the films which had arrived when I got back yesterday evening and watched. I loved them- such a personal journey for you. I especially liked Guernika Lives with its original footage and wonderful music to accompany it- very inspiring. I was even more horrified by the event and so touched by the courage and strength of the Basques- and the people who were interviewed. It must have been very emotional for your father. I so applaud their strength in holding on to their cultural and unique identity. 

On Saturday I will be sitting in the restaurant you recommended, thinking of the events, and will raise a glass to you and yours.

Thank you again,

Lesley - Miriam

England, february, 2013