Here’s a look at the stories I’ve written. Both of them are written in Spanish!

Worked by: Lorena Borrelli, Paloma Taborda, and Sebastian Guzman

Amanda (32), a brilliant Brazilian environmental engineer living in Barcelona, is on the verge of presenting her research plan for a dream PhD: finding a method to reverse mercury contamination in freshwater. Devoting herself entirely to her work, she sacrifices her health, personal life, and even her relationship with her partner, Carles (33).

Two months before her presentation, Amanda begins having distressing nightmares in which her sister Duda (28), an anthropologist in the Amazon, is in danger. Unable to concentrate on her research, her fear intensifies when she cannot contact Duda. Desperate for answers, she discovers that, according to the Yanomami, the indigenous people of her ancestry, dreams are premonitions and a way to communicate with loved ones. Amanda refuses to believe it, clinging to reason even as dread grows inside her.

Attempts to control her nightmares through sleepless nights, hypnotic techniques, and even prescribed sleeping pills fail. Pressure from her PhD supervisor mounts, and Amanda struggles to maintain balance. When a call from her mother confirms that Duda is missing, Amanda can no longer ignore the signs and makes the drastic decision to return to Brazil.

In São Paulo, she and her mother try to involve the police and authorities, only to be dismissed. With no help forthcoming, Amanda embarks on a perilous journey into the Amazon to find her sister. Along the way, she witnesses the horrific attacks of garimpeiros armed men who kill indigenous people and burn villages in pursuit of precious metals. Confronted with the destruction and the privilege that has distanced her from her roots, Amanda experiences profound guilt and self-reflection.

Participating in a Yanomami ritual in Duda’s honor, Amanda connects with the community and realizes the true impact of mercury contamination. Armed with knowledge and a sense of responsibility, she returns to Barcelona with Duda’s research and water samples, attempting to redirect her PhD toward addressing the real problem in Brazil. Institutional indifference forces her to resign from her scholarship, prioritizing her principles over personal success.

Amanda eventually reaches the Yanomami village, but it is too late. Duda has been attacked by the garimpeiros, trying to silence her investigation. Amanda holds her sister in her final moments, mourning her loss while finally recognizing the power of her nightmares as a connection to Duda and her legacy.

Worked by: Isabel Pantojas, Valeria Jiménez, and Sebastian Guzman

Lidia (39), a hairdresser in Barcelona, is frustrated with her partner Jorge (41), a former competitive weightlifter who has traded his gym life for a sedentary routine of TV and pastries. Determined to get him back in shape, Lidia enlists the help of her friend Mari Carmen and introduces Jorge to the new neighborhood gym, Sweat Hustle.

What begins as a simple push to exercise quickly spirals into an absurd, high-energy world of extreme workouts, saunas, and questionable “wellness” methods. Jorge becomes increasingly obsessed with his new routine, while Lidia grows uneasy about the mysterious effects of the gym’s facilities and the strange influence of the so-called “Premium” program.

Caught between love, obsession, and the surreal cult-like allure of Sweat Hustle, Lidia must confront what it means to accept life as it is, and whether she can save her relationship before the sweat takes over completely.

Worked by: Claudia Turmo, Paula Cattani, and Sebastian Guzman

Sirviendo Coño explores the history and cultural significance of the ballroom scene in Spain. Through archival footage from 1980s balls and narration by Silvi Rodriguez Manequeen, the pioneer who introduced ballroom culture to Spain in 2014, the documentary traces the movement’s origins, key figures, and distinctive elements.

Silvi serves as the guiding thread, sharing her first encounters with the ballroom and the motivations that led her to bring this vibrant subculture to Barcelona. The film also features Jenny Xtravaganza of the House of Xtravaganza, who recounts her experience teaching ballroom dance and helping establish the scene locally.

The documentary delves into the concept of “houses” (chosen families led by a mother or father figure providing support to younger members often rejected by their biological families). Through personal stories, viewers gain insight into the social importance and emotional impact of these communities. Interviews with early Spanish ballroom artists such as Óscar Navarro, Jorge Sanz, and Inés Mostalac, as well as Ilyak Visori, founder of Spain’s first house, contextualize the movement’s growth and structure.

Sirviendo Coño also examines the hierarchical system within ballroom culture and the creation of “kikihouses,” accessible spaces where newcomers practice, socialize, and gain experience. Anna Yang, founder of Barcelona’s first kikihouse, Ubetta, introduces this dynamic. Following a newcomer’s journey in a kikihouse, the documentary highlights the supportive relationships between mothers and daughters, preparation for events, and the formation of collective identity.

Expert insights from psychologist Ruben Somalo and sociologist Paul B. Preciado discuss the psychological and social impacts of exclusion, the role of heteronormative structures, and how ballroom culture provides vital spaces for identity formation. Additionally, Manuel Segade, director of the Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofía, contextualizes voguing and queer vocabulary within art and history.

The documentary culminates in a major ball, where the personal and collective stories converge, celebrating a decade of education, protection, and visibility for a subculture that remains unapologetically diva.