Carla Berrocal, writer of 'La tierra yerma': “Why isn't a chulapa going to be a dyke?” | Culture | EUROtoday

When Carla Berrocal (Madrid, 40 years outdated) began working in The barren land, The comedian with which he challenges all Western conventions had María Félix, Barbara Stanwick or the tales of Dorothy M. Johnson in thoughts. But not solely that: after a visit with an ex-girlfriend by Salamanca that borders Portugal and an inventive residency with shepherds in Siberia in Extremadura, he discovered the panorama the place he wished to put this vibrant and darkish story with which he turns the archetypes of the gender (in all attainable senses of this phrase).

Ask. Why are the ladies within the e-book charras?

Answer. When I began to essentially work on the venture I made a decision to return to Salamanca as a result of it was simpler than returning to Siberia in Extremadura. Through She was an artwork historian, she knew lots about ethnography of the world and she or he guided me there.

P. Could you be accused of cultural appropriation?

R. [risas] Without a doubt, and extra issues, as a result of they’re dressed as charros, not charras. The charros had been the individuals who defended the land and livestock in historical instances, so there’s a clear reference to the western, however I'm not from there. Appropriation appears to me to be one thing extra associated to capitalism than to artwork. If Gucci all of the sudden copies the indigenous ladies of Peru for its high fashion designs with out crediting them, that’s appropriation. But the artist should be happy to speak about what he needs. They are additionally symbolic universes which might be destined to be misplaced and the take a look at folklore appeared fascinating to me, I investigated it, took a take a look at it and remodeled it into fantasy.

P. And why is that this attraction in direction of folklore? Does it align with those that say it’s the rise of conservatism, nostalgia for a cheerful arcadia or a merely visible fascination?

R. I feel there’s a little of all three. It is a pure response to the homogeneity of a world through which sustaining id is more and more tough. All cities look alike. Everything is Zara, H&M… Perhaps folklore and preserving custom are barely anti-establishment responses. I imagine that greater than preserving it, we should always evaluation it and provides it different readings and return to it. Why isn't a chulapa going to be a dyke?

P. You have mentioned that you do not need this comedian to be restricted to lesbians however love and intercourse between ladies may be very current. How do you clarify this contradiction?

R. What bothers me is the bias marketiniano, they already need to promote me as a lesbian western. Well, it's a western. I’ve swallowed westerns my complete life without having to say that they had been for males or for heterosexuals.

P. But let's suppose for instance of Brokeback Mountain. It may be very labeled and there’s no downside, proper?

R. In their case it’s by no means an issue. It is at all times an issue within the case of girls. For me, the label serves to vindicate myself, however ultimately it at all times finally ends up assigned to one thing very particular for a really particular viewers. Many males particularly, as a result of they don’t really feel appealed by these kinds of tales, or in the event that they do really feel appealed it’s from a really morbid perspective. I would like the label, however on the identical time I reject it with all my would possibly. I do know it's very contradictory.

P. Do you suppose it’s internalized lesbophobia?

R. No, I reject the label as a result of their merchandise can’t be labeled and the aunts' merchandise can. It's like saying “women's literature.” It's a label that may be very harmful and limiting.

P. And on the identical time he has chosen to do one thing that reassigns gender roles…

R. Yes, that's why I say there’s a contradiction. I’m conscious.

P. It's a darkish comedian, did it put you in a darkish place?

R. I used to be in a really darkish private second. And sure, I feel that for me it was like a form of emotional vomit that allowed me to specific all of the issues that maybe I’ve not been capable of categorical in another approach about relationships, loss of life and grief.

P. Would you say that the world of comics has as many intrigues because the literary world?

R. Yes completely. What occurs is worse, as a result of they’re all gents and it’s a a lot smaller world, the place everyone knows one another significantly better. There are quite a lot of literary festivals and they’re much extra diversified, however ultimately, there are 5 – 6 comedian e-book salons and as Cristina would say, you’ll fail, coming into there’s like coming into a cantina. The first time I walked into a comic book e-book retailer it was like strolling right into a diner, as a result of it was like increase! Western stuff. [risas].

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