On 17 November, the short film Herradura, directed and photographed by Federico Schlatter CCS, was successfully showcased at the Rome Independent Film Festival. The selection of Herradura is part of the significant space the festival dedicates to environmental themes, featuring, for example, activists like Bill McKibben, the renowned American author and environmentalist.
Herradura tells the story of two Cuban fisherwomen. Their lives revolve around a routine dictated by the sea, the primary source of sustenance for their families. This intimate and ancient balance is gradually eroded by an “other world,” advancing slowly but inexorably across the Atlantic, bringing with it the consumerist civilisation. The arrival of this new reality threatens the fragile ecosystem in which the women live and transforms the island, rendering their simple, nature-harmonious way of life obsolete and irrelevant. The short film is a powerful metaphor for the destruction of humanity and nature caused by capitalist civilisation, which uproots humans from their natural environment and replaces it with an alien paradigm.
Directing and cinematography: Federico Schlatter; country of production: Cuba; genre: Drama, Documentary; year of production: 2024; duration: 10’.
Directing and Cinematographer’s Notes
Herradura is intentionally devoid of dialogue: the sound of the ocean wind, along with other natural sounds, conveys the original harmony between humanity and the environment. This natural symphony is abruptly disrupted by the intrusion of modern noises, symbolising destructive progress. The cinematography relies solely on sunlight, capturing the chromatic and intensity variations accompanying the day’s passage. This approach provides an authentic, unembellished depiction of the Cuban landscape and its delicate balance.
