Headlands Center for the Arts

Artist Statement

“Todo lo demás”, is inspired by Hanna Arendt’s idea that bureaucracy is one of the worst forms of violence because it “makes functionaries and mere cogs in the administrative machinery out of men,” dehumanizing them. After 35 years working as a clerk in a government office, Doña Flor has become such a cog, invisible to herself. Cloaked in solitude and routine, she has even suppressed the loss of her daughter who drowned years ago. As her retirement approaches the walls of bureaucracy that have sheltered her from her pain begin to crumble. Doña Flor’s sense of self begins to awaken in parallel with the country beginning to erupt from excessive violence and corruption. When her cat, her sole companion, suddenly dies she is jolted into reality. She goes to the pool seeking solace in the water, but is unable to dive in. Instead she is revitalized by a gesture of compassion from another woman at the pool.

While At Headlands

While at Headlands this following year I plan to edit my film “Todo lo demás (Everything Else)” and take many long walks.