With Romería, Catalan filmmaker Carla Simón closes a remarkable intimate trilogy
Romería, directed by Carla Simón, concludes her intimate trilogy by recounting the story of her parents, who were victims of AIDS in the 1980s.
Romería, set to release in 2025, is the third installment in Carla Simón's intimate trilogy, which began with her debut film in 2017, Verano 1993. This final installment focuses on the life story of Simón's parents, who succumbed to AIDS during the 1980s, exploring the personal and communal impacts of this devastating disease. Following the critical success of her previous films, which tackled childhood trauma and community life, Romería brings a more personal narrative that reflects on familial connections amid tragedy.
Simón's body of work has been recognized for its distinct storytelling and emotional depth, with each film in the trilogy exploring different aspects of her life and heritage. Verano 1993 highlighted the innocence of childhood marred by loss, while Alcarràs, released in 2022, examined a community's struggle for survival against the backdrop of changing societal norms. Romería further cements Simón's place in contemporary cinema, cementing her ability to transform personal history into compelling narratives that resonate with broader audiences.
The film's premiere at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival last year underscores the ongoing relevance of the themes Simón tackles. By bringing her family's story to the forefront, she not only memorializes her parents but also sparks important conversations about the AIDS epidemic's historical and social implications, making Romería not just a personal tale, but a significant commentary on a pivotal crisis that affected countless lives in the 20th century.