AdoleCe (2018) is the first film that I saw at this festival and I thought it was a great film. In the beginning, I had to get used to the film and discover its theme. But later I found out that I am able to relate to this film, because of my South American background. AdoleCe is a documentary about young girl Cecilia who films her life experiences, but next to that her mother also films Cecilia’s life. It basically focuses on how it is like to grow up and go to school in Cuba until her university entrance exam. There are quite some comparisons. For example the strictness from your parents within our culture. They always tell you to do your utmost best at school. Another thing has to do with not seeing the wealth differences of who’s poorer or richer, because of the school uniforms. In South America, it is normal to wear uniforms to school. I thought it was funny to see because I also had to wear those when I used to live over there. I am originally from Bolivia and by coincidence that’s a country where Che Guevara also has lived next to Cuba. The biggest comparison is how my parents disciplined me a lot and while you’re growing up you think why are they being so difficult? Is that even necessary? Why can’t they just let me do what I want? It’s not like I’m going to end up badly. But when you’re further in life after finishing university. You start to appreciate that they were so strict by for example not letting you wear all the expensive clothes that you wanted.”
Photo and story by Feargal Agard.
