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VIOLENTAS MARIPOSAS: A Movie That Demands for Justice to Work

Daniel Hernández

The press conference for the film Violentas Mariposas (2024) was held as part of the activities of the 22nd edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM). Present at the event were director Adolfo Dávila, producer Gabriela Gavica, music director Martin Thulin, and members of the cast, including Alejandro Porter, Diana Laura Di, Fernanda Nibau and Germán Bracco.

During the conference, Adolfo Dávila highlighted his interest in showing the social injustice experienced in Mexico, a regrettably recurring theme. In the story, several of its daily expressions are reflected and we see how the main characters raise their voice of nonconformity through different artistic manifestations.

“It is urgent to show how society has normalized injustice in our country,” said Davila, highlighting the inconsistency of not accepting injustice in our daily lives but normalizing it as a society. “It is a call to demand that our justice systems work,” he added.

The director also mentioned that it is no coincidence that the story takes place in a university context, since it is at that stage that people tend to rebel against the causes with which they are dissatisfied or, on the contrary, adapt to the system and mimic it. From here arises the motivation to make noise and continue with the growing openness to change that can be observed today.

In tune with this idea, Gabriela Gavica took the opportunity to express her affinity for independent cinema: “I am moved by the films and stories of independent cinema, and Violentas Mariposas is a film that manages to move people”. He also noted that Dávila's vision and determination were key to overcoming the obstacles during the shoot.

Finally, the entire team agreed on the relevance of social movements, such as punk, in questioning the system and demanding that it work. The cast was praised for their performances, as their personalities reflect that touch of rebelliousness that the film seeks to portray. “They had the courage and determination to give the film their all,” concluded Gavica.