Long before it was a matter of concern to so-called modern sensibilities, the Catholic Church had been fighting the trafficking of women for centuries. It is a battle it still fights today.
This is what the film Las Locas del Obelisco—which translates to 'The Madwomen of the Obelisk'—aims to explain. The film tells the story of Mariana Allsopp and Father Francisco de Asís Méndez, who founded an institution to protect vulnerable women and girls in 19th-century Spain.
PABLO MORENO
Screenwriter and director of Las Locas del Obelisco
She is an aristocrat, a young woman from high society who suddenly discovers that she wants to dedicate her life to saving hundreds—thousands—of women from the worst kind of slavery. He is a priest who has come to understand very deeply the great problem surrounding freedom and the situation of women, and he wants to do something about it. These two initiatives, these two spirits, these two people come together and create something extraordinary.
BELÉN VERGILLO FERNÁNDEZ
Superior General, Trinitarian Sisters
From this came the birth of the congregation of the Trinitarian Sisters, created to respond to the situation of so many young women, even girls, who had fallen into the networks of prostitution and abuse. Many had come from villages to the big capital city seeking opportunities, but often fell into the hands of people who offered them all kinds of 'freedom' in exchange for their lives.
Such a stirring initiative leaves few unmoved. While preparing to play the role of Mariana in the movie, the lead actress, Paula Iglesias, admitted that immersing herself in the character's life affected her deeply:
PAULA IGLESIAS VARGAS
Actress
I visited the houses, and they organized meetings where many of the girls wanted to share their stories with me; girls who had already left that situation and those who were still there. For me it was very powerful, very difficult and very hard to listen to, because these stories are real, not fiction. They were telling them to me face to face, crying. So during the whole film, that’s what I carried inside me all the time. Later other actresses came to portray these characters, but what kept coming back to me were the testimonies of these girls today.
The Trinitarian Sisters continue this work to this day, offering education, social integration, and prevention programs at their shelter homes.
BELÉN VERGILLO FERNÁNDEZ
Superior General, Trinitarian Sisters
Bringing our entire mission and charism to the cinema made us feel very small before something very big.
It is also a tribute to them, to all the Trinitarian sisters who came before us, whose work made it possible for us to be here today, and also to all the young women who have lived and continue to live in our homes. They are fighters, resilient women who, despite their situations, are capable of building a future when someone extends a hand and offers them support.
The film is being released in Spain, but there are hopes it will reach Latin America and the United States as well. The cast presented the first copy of the film to Pope Leo—a touching moment to honor the life of a woman who helped rescue
