DIRECTOR’S
STATEMENT
Victoria didn’t start as the story it is today. It evolved gradually, shaped by deliberate choices and personal reflections. At its core, it speaks to my mother’s complex relationship with her own mother—a woman whose love and suffering were deeply intertwined. Her pain shaped her actions, creating a dynamic where love coexisted with silence—a silence my mother carried as both a shield and a prison, even as the love between them endured.
Victoria also draws from my relationship with my sister, marked by its own set of challenges and reconciliations. While we don’t always see eye to eye and sometimes go long stretches without speaking, we always find our way back to each other, no matter how much time has passed.
This story is as much about love’s enduring strength as it is about the complexities that bind us together.
But Victoria is also about my own journey—living away from home, where every passing year makes the island of my childhood feel more like a fading dream, making it harder and harder to return. More poignantly, she tells the story of the women whose faces I see in the news every time I go back to Puerto Rico—etched with pain and resilience amidst the daily horrors they endure.
Being far from home, I had to create my own family. This family was built from friends who became like siblings, mentors who assumed the roles of parents, and a community that embraced me when I felt adrift and homesick. These relationships became my foundation, offering the love and support that anchored me when the distance felt unbearable.
For both Victoria and me, art became a lifeline. Writing and creating offered a way to process and heal from these experiences. The page became a sanctuary to explore the depths of our emotions—a space where pain found a voice and hope took form. This artistic journey was a path to understanding, a means to navigate life’s complexities.
Originally, Victoria was the story of a woman grappling with her inability to have children, exploring how it shaped her life in both positive and negative ways. But as the narrative evolved, it grew into something much larger, much more complex. While traces of the original concept remain, the story has expanded to encompass so much more.
So yes, there’s a bit of Victoria in me, but there’s even more of me in her—my family, my homeland, and the realities I’ve witnessed. She is a reflection of the pain, strength, and hope that have defined my journey. Through Victoria, I’ve learned to navigate my own story, finding meaning in the connections and disconnections that have shaped my life. Art and storytelling have been our faithful companions, guiding us through struggle and transformation, turning our experiences into something both beautiful and profound.
INSPIRATION
*
INSPIRATION *
The inspiration for this film stems from a deep fascination with the human condition and the ways in which we navigate our personal and collective traumas. The character of Victoria was born from an exploration of the complexities of artistic life, where creativity often coexists with chaos and self-doubt. Her journey mirrors the struggles many artists face, balancing the need for self-expression with the pressures of societal expectations and personal demons.
Puerto Rico’s vibrant culture and stunning landscapes serve as a rich backdrop for the story, reflecting the protagonist’s internal conflict and journey towards reconciliation. The island’s history, traditions, and resilience in the face of adversity inspired the film’s exploration of themes such as family, identity, and forgiveness.
The theater scenes draw inspiration from the power of performance art to evoke deep emotional responses and provoke thought. The visceral reactions of the audience in the play mirror the film’s intent to challenge viewers and evoke a spectrum of emotions, from discomfort to catharsis.
The recurring dream sequences and symbolic imagery throughout the film were inspired by surrealist art and literature, aiming to create a narrative that is both visually arresting and deeply symbolic. These elements serve to delve into the subconscious, exploring themes of femininity, maturity, and the cyclical nature of life.
Ultimately, this film is inspired by the resilience of the human spirit and the redemptive power of love and forgiveness. It is a testament to the transformative power of art and the enduring strength found in facing one’s past and forging a path towards healing and self-acceptance.
THE STORY
BEHIND
THE STORY
The genesis of this film is deeply rooted in personal experiences and observations of the human condition. The story is a reflection of the complexities and contradictions that define our lives, particularly in the context of artistic expression, family dynamics, and personal redemption.
The character of Victoria is inspired by a composite of individuals who navigate the turbulent world of creativity. Her struggles with addiction, self-doubt, and the search for meaning mirror the real-life experiences of many artists who grapple with these issues. The theater setting, with its intense emotional highs and lows, serves as a microcosm for the broader themes of the film: the interplay of light and darkness, triumph and despair.
The choice to set part of the film in Puerto Rico is deeply personal. Puerto Rico’s rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and history of fortitude against adversity provide a poignant backdrop for Victoria’s journey. This setting allowed us to explore themes of identity and belonging, as Victoria reconnects with her roots and confronts unresolved family issues.
The narrative structure, with its blend of visceral realism and dreamlike sequences, draws from my fascination with surrealist art and literature. The recurring dream sequences, filled with symbolic imagery, are designed to delve into Victoria’s subconscious, exploring deeper themes of femininity, maturity, and the eternal struggle between the self and societal expectations.
The scene in the theater where the actress endures a brutal attack and transforms her torment into a declaration of freedom is a metaphor for the broader theme of resilience. This powerful moment is inspired by the idea that art can be both a mirror and a catalyst for change, challenging audiences to confront uncomfortable truths and ultimately leading to catharsis and transformation.
The film also draws from personal experiences of family dynamics and the journey towards reconciliation. The strained relationship between Victoria and her estranged family reflects real-life stories of families divided by misunderstandings, secrets, and unspoken traumas. The journey towards forgiveness and healing, despite the deep scars of the past, is a central theme that resonates on a universal level.
In essence, this film is a deeply personal exploration of the human experience, inspired by the fortitude of the human spirit, the redemptive power of art, and the enduring bonds of family. It is a testament to the belief that by confronting our deepest fears and embracing our true selves, we can venture on the road of renewal and self-love.
VISUAL
AESTHETIC
The film will employ a visually striking aesthetic that contrasts stark realism with surreal dreamlike sequences. The realistic scenes will be shot with naturalistic lighting and a muted color palette to evoke a sense of groundedness and authenticity. In contrast, the dream sequences will utilize vibrant colors, symbolic imagery, and fluid, almost otherworldly camera movements to create a distinct separation between reality and the subconscious. This visual dichotomy will enhance the narrative’s exploration of the protagonist’s inner and outer worlds.
Cinematic Techniques:
Close-up shots and handheld camera work will be employed to capture the raw, intimate emotions of the characters, especially during intense moments of conflict and introspection. Wide shots of Puerto Rico’s lush landscapes and bustling cityscapes will provide a sense of place and context, highlighting the protagonist’s journey through contrasting environments. The use of slow motion and time-lapse photography in key sequences will emphasize the surreal, dreamlike quality of Victoria’s internal experiences.
Sound and Music:
The film’s soundscape will play a crucial role in enhancing the emotional depth and atmosphere. Ambient sounds of the theater, city streets, and natural environments will be meticulously layered to create an immersive experience. The musical score will blend traditional Puerto Rican music with contemporary, electronic elements to reflect Victoria’s connection to her roots and her modern, chaotic life. Music will also be used diegetically, with scenes in clubs and theaters featuring live performances to ground the audience in the setting.
Narrative Structure:
The film will follow a non-linear narrative, interweaving present-day events with dream sequences. This structure will mirror the fragmented nature of memory and trauma, allowing the audience to piece together the protagonist’s past and its impact on her present. The transitions between different timelines and realities will be seamless, often using visual or auditory cues to guide the viewer through Victoria’s complex psychological landscape.
Character Development:
Victoria will be portrayed as a multi-dimensional character, whose strengths and vulnerabilities are gradually revealed through her interactions with others and her internal monologues. Her relationships with her friends, family, and lovers will serve as mirrors, reflecting different aspects of her personality and her ongoing struggle for self-acceptance. Supporting characters, such as Sofia, Steve, and the members of her theater troupe, will be given their own arcs and depth, contributing to the richness of the story.
Themes:
The film will explore themes of identity, resilience, and redemption, with a focus on the transformative power of art. It will delve into the complexities of familial relationships, particularly the tension between personal freedom and the desire for reconciliation. The recurring motifs of water, blood, and the color red will symbolize purity, trauma, and passion, respectively, weaving a cohesive visual and thematic thread throughout the narrative.
Symbolism and Metaphor:
The film will employ rich symbolism and metaphor to deepen the narrative’s impact. The recurring dream of a woman floating on a river, for instance, will represent Victoria’s struggle with her past and her journey towards healing. The use of theatrical elements, such as the play within the film, will serve as a meta-commentary on the nature of performance and reality, blurring the lines between the two.
CONCLUSION
Ultimately, my vision for this film is to create a poignant, visually stunning exploration of the human condition. It aims to challenge the audience to confront their own fears and traumas, while celebrating the strength and transformative power of the human spirit. Through its rich tapestry of visuals, sound, and narrative complexity, the film seeks to leave a lasting emotional impact, offering a message of hope and redemption amidst the darkness.