Nominated for Best Documentary Feature
Q&A with Paloma Zapata
The heart-breaking story of flamenco dancer Antonia Singla who was born in the suburbs of Barcelona. Having become deaf shortly after birth, she learned to dance in silence, achieving great success in Germany. Revolutionizing the world of flamenco, she disappeared from the stage forever before she turned 40.
In Paloma Zapata’s documentary, the fascinating journey of Antonia Singla’s flamenco career and subsequent disappearance is unraveled. This sensitive study of La Singla’s extraordinary life reveals the rarity of this performer’s talent, with magnetising footage showing us her evolution from obscurity to stardom.
Born in the impoverished suburbs of Barcelona, Antonia became deaf after a short burst of meningitis. Living without sound, and in a state of perplexed frustration at her inability to communicate, dancing became a form of therapy, a projection of anger and inner turmoil disguised as rhythmic twirls and animated gestures. After combining this visceral emotion with the vibrations of music, La Singla launched herself into the flamenco circles of Barcelona. By the age of 17, she had revolutionised the world of flamenco.
Archival footage of Antonia’s career adorns the interviews in the documentary. Her fierce gaze and striking movements permeate the screen with an unforgettable intensity that remains consistent in every performances she undertakes. Yet despite this passion, her success abruptly comes to an end when a shadowy figure enters her life, sweeping her into a heart-wrenching void of exploitation and depression.
In this masterful portrait of her haunting passion and revolutionary career, La Singla is remembered with warmth, with honesty and with style.
Clementine Wilson
This film is Triple F Rated.
