Lotte van Raalte, a recipient of the $5,000 PhotoVogue Festival Grant, created “Guerreras,” a film centered around three Mexican women: Evelyn, Alicia, and Frida. These women, each unique in their own right, are fighting for themselves and for future generations of women. Van Raalte uses their bodies, seen as interconnected with their surroundings, to narrate a story of female resistance. The film portrays women as vessels for untold stories, carrying within them the legacy of silenced voices. Their bodies become crossroads of history, hope, and ongoing struggles. “Guerreras” is a sensorial and introspective hymn about resistance and finding harmony within ourselves and with other living beings. The grant will support van Raalte in developing future projects and deepening her research.
Van Raalte’s journey to create “Guerreras” began with an unexpected feeling of belonging while visiting Mexico City. Years later, she returned to Oaxaca City for an artist residency. While initially planning to write a short film, her experiences during workshops led her to a profound shift. She felt a strong urge to create a film about the women she had met, their connection to their roots, ancestors, and spirituality. She was particularly drawn to Evelyn, Alicia, and Frida, each embodying unique strengths and wisdom.
Evelyn, a dancer who moves from her soul, taught van Raalte about the power of water and the stories we carry within us. Alicia, a wise and powerful woman who works with clay, shared her knowledge of ancestral rituals, the importance of honoring one’s cycle, and the deep connection to the Earth. Frida, the youngest of the three, is a performance artist who communicates through her body and explores themes related to womanhood.
The film’s creation was a challenging yet transformative journey for van Raalte. She faced numerous hurdles, including language barriers, a small crew, and unpredictable weather. Despite these obstacles, the film became a symbol of her own personal transformation. The editing process was particularly demanding, as van Raalte aimed to create an immersive experience where time seemed to stand still while still capturing the essence of the women’s words. She also spent weeks in Mexico working on the sound design, interweaving music and sounds that reflected the film’s themes.
During the editing process, van Raalte realized that “Guerreras” was more than just a film about three women; it was a deeply personal journey of self-discovery. She delved into her own experiences with dance, movement, meditation, and voice liberation, finding her own voice through the process. The film explores the complexities of intergenerational trauma and the strength that emerges from overcoming adversity. The inclusion of silence as a key element in the film further underscores the depth of the women’s experiences, particularly when Alicia revealed her own story of abuse.
Van Raalte’s film is a powerful testament to the strength of women, the importance of embracing our own stories, and the power of connection to nature. It encourages viewers to listen to their own bodies, to move with intention, and to use their voices without fear. Ultimately, “Guerreras” celebrates the unique qualities of each individual, transcending labels and reminding us that we are all connected by love. The film’s immersive journey aims to acknowledge our past, empower women, and ultimately transition into a more harmonious world.
Following the release of “Guerreras,” van Raalte felt inspired to further explore the world of filmmaking. She enrolled in a screenwriting course and began writing a script for a short film and a synopsis for a feature film that explores the relationship between women and nature. Her film idea, inspired by her experiences with “Guerreras,” was selected in a script contest, affirming her path as a filmmaker. She is currently working on the feature film with co-writer Lenina Ungari, drawing upon research on female storytelling and our complex relationship with the natural world.
