In 1971, the song "Soy Rebelde" was released in Spain, performed by Jeanette, a girl with sad eyes and a melancholic air. The song achieved worldwide success, became a feminist anthem in Latin America, and in Spain, it was banned for girls under 16 years old. Thus, in a still very dark context, a girl exuding a sheepish docility sang "Soy Rebelde" and people got hooked, I think, as if to a distant, almost forgotten, and illusory desire for rebellion. As if she represented the sad image of a lost paradise.
Today, 50 years later, we are astonished to realize that this country is no longer one where "Soy Rebelde" could be sung in a brothel while dressed as a priest, as Albert Pla did in the film "Airbag" (1997). Rather, we are again in a space/time where an entire society is mesmerized by a girl with sad eyes capable of innocently representing that image of rebellion that, once again, we see as distant and blurry.
This year, 2018, and having surely suffered the greatest rollback of freedoms since the Franco dictatorship, another young and carefree girl wins the immensely popular reality show "Operación Triunfo" and represents Spain in Eurovision. Amaia has immense stage and musical talent, but above all, she exudes truth. At a time when gestures are scrutinized, when we all act thinking about the consequences, and where fear has managed to infiltrate every home, she dares not to shave her armpits, farts on prime time television, and if necessary, confronts the most rancid guardians of the old homeland without losing an ounce of tenderness.
To me, she represents the natural nonconformity against the great battles lost or yet to be won in this country, as well as the inherent strength of youth to carry them out. That is why so many people, from all walks of life, have fallen in love with her. As an anecdotal detail, I would like to say that during the filming, she performed the song five times and cried each time. I didn't ask her the reason because I think it's much more beautiful to imagine it.
Salvador Sunyer.
September 2018.
Today, 50 years later, we are astonished to realize that this country is no longer one where "Soy Rebelde" could be sung in a brothel while dressed as a priest, as Albert Pla did in the film "Airbag" (1997). Rather, we are again in a space/time where an entire society is mesmerized by a girl with sad eyes capable of innocently representing that image of rebellion that, once again, we see as distant and blurry.
This year, 2018, and having surely suffered the greatest rollback of freedoms since the Franco dictatorship, another young and carefree girl wins the immensely popular reality show "Operación Triunfo" and represents Spain in Eurovision. Amaia has immense stage and musical talent, but above all, she exudes truth. At a time when gestures are scrutinized, when we all act thinking about the consequences, and where fear has managed to infiltrate every home, she dares not to shave her armpits, farts on prime time television, and if necessary, confronts the most rancid guardians of the old homeland without losing an ounce of tenderness.
To me, she represents the natural nonconformity against the great battles lost or yet to be won in this country, as well as the inherent strength of youth to carry them out. That is why so many people, from all walks of life, have fallen in love with her. As an anecdotal detail, I would like to say that during the filming, she performed the song five times and cried each time. I didn't ask her the reason because I think it's much more beautiful to imagine it.
Salvador Sunyer.
September 2018.
