Indigo
(Añil)
Julio López Fernández | Documentary
2023 | 65 minutes | El Salvador, Mexico
Three young actresses recreate testimonies of Salvadoran civil war sexual assault victims in a fable guided by the history of Indigo.
Synopsis
In this powerful hybrid documentary, filmmaker Julio López Fernández weaves together the testimonies of women who endured sexual violence during the Salvadoran Civil War with evocative reenactments, performance art, and historical reflections on the color indigo. Guided by the research of Dr. Paula Cuellar Cuellar, the film re-creates the harrowing stories of two women, brought to life by three young actresses. Their performances break the silence surrounding these atrocities, seeking justice for the unheard and healing for wounds that remain unclosed.
The narrative transcends individual suffering to explore the broader exploitation of El Salvador’s land and people. Indigo, or xiuquilit—the “blue gold” that shaped the country’s economy and identity—serves as a metaphor for resilience in the face of violence and upheaval. Tracing the sacred plant’s history from its Mayan roots to its role in defining national borders, the film poignantly juxtaposes the destruction of natural and human life with the enduring spirit of a people striving to reclaim their stories.
At its heart, this fable imagines an indigo spirit who, upon discovering the unhealed wounds of the past, calls upon the actresses to tell these stories—reminding us that only by confronting the truth can a nation begin to heal.
Reviews
“‘Indigo’, discusses security and guerilla forces’ rape of women in El Salvador amid armed conflict.” — Sara Coughlin, The Bowdoin Orient
“A documentary that is undoubtedly important for the new generations of Central Americans dare to watch and analyze.” — Guillermo Fernández Ampie, Humanismo y Cambio Social Magazine
Citation
Main credits
López Fernández, Julio (film director)
López Fernández, Julio (screenwriter)
López Fernández, Julio (film producer)
Hernández Flamenco, Liliana (film producer)
Aguirre, Daniela Maya (film producer)
Other credits
Cinematography, Meme Flores; editing, Alejandra Salcido; music, Luis Mario Magaña.
Citation
Cataloging
Pragda subjects
Activism
Central America
Criminal Justice
Culture + Identity
Fascism + Repression
Gender + Sexuality Studies
Human Rights
Latin American Studies
Religion + Spirituality
Women
Keywords
Clips
Festivals
Chicago Latino Film Festival - Best Documentary; WRPN Women’s International Film Festival - Awards of Excellence in Documentary, Docudrama Feature, and Inspirational Documentary; New York Film Festival; Ícaro International Film Festival in Central America - Best Central American Documentary; Berlin Indie Film Festival - Best War Theme Film; Hispanic International Film Festival - Exceptional Merit Award; Our Vision Caribbean and Latino Film Festival; Denver Monthly Film Awards
DIRECTOR: Julio López Fernández
NATIONALITY: El Salvador, Mexico
YEAR: 2023
GENRE: Documentary
LANGUAGE: Spanish
COLOR / B&W: Color
GRADE LEVEL: High School, College, Adult
SUBTITLE/CC: AVAILABLE
AUDIO DESCRIPTION: NOT AVAILABLE
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