This complaint from former students was the beginning of #MeToo in Catalonia and more complaints began to emerge in other creative spaces across the country. But the journalists who published the news did not have it easy at all... Because touching powerful people is like fighting against a wall and, in the end, you are left alone, tired and full of wounds. And this is what is shown to us in Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra.
Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra, the story of the brave journalists who denounced sexual abuse in theater
Because you don't have to be part of the Hollywood elite to suffer sexual abuse. You don't even have to be part of a prestigious company or theater school. This type of abuse, which mixes gender and power, can be found in any city, town or school, no matter how big or small.
In Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra we learn the story of two journalists who, after years of investigation, finally dare to publish a report on cases of sexual abuse suffered in a theater school. This was the beginning of a revolution in Catalonia and affected very important personalities in the theater sector who saw their image affected and their productions canceled.
But, one of the accused, Ricard Roig, tries to commit suicide. And, from here, all the work and investigation done by the journalists begins to be questioned.
A story about guilt and contradictions
Throughout the play, in addition to witnessing the development of the story, we delve into the mind of the protagonist. She cries, roars, laughs, and shows us the desperation of being a woman today, trying to be consistent with oneself, trying to be a "good woman", "good professional", "good feminist", trying not to screw up, trying to be perfect. But she is not. WE ARE NOT. And it's okay.
But this "it's okay" is not so easy to assimilate. Because we want to be the projection of ourselves that we work on every day, the ideal that we build with reason and words. To leave aside the most perfidious human instincts and try to be good people. But, as Bàrbara says, shouts and cries: We are not good people.
A brutal staging
The beginning of Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra is impressive. Red occupies the entire stage, with very loud music, smoke, and Bàrbara appearing in the purest "Motomami" style. She lights a cigarette and shows her empowerment and strong presence.
Throughout the play, we witness this color palette where red (violence) is present all the time. A red that we see in clothes, in blood, in wine, in the set... The red of passion, but also of rage, pain, childbirth, sex... A red that does not fade and is present at all times.
Visceral and moving interpretations
Rosa Boladeras, Bàrbara Mestanza, and Júlia Molins are the three protagonists of Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra and all three defend their roles perfectly:
- Bàrbara embodies that idealistic, combative woman, indignant with the world, but with enough strength to try to change things. The "bad feminist," "bad journalist," and "bad woman" who will always be confronted with her "inner self," who is her worst judge.
- Rosa is Bàrbara's boss, the other journalist who uncovers sexual abuse cases. A strong woman, but who also has power and who, at the end of the play, offers us a groundbreaking message that continues with the play's discourse on contradictions and abuse of power.
- Júlia Molins is Ricard Roig's daughter, the victim. The "good and innocent girl" who is another victim of her father.
The play unfolds at a fast and frantic pace. The story told is very well presented and structured and does not falter at any point. But there are too many themes that want to be addressed, too many ideas that are thrown out as a scream and do not end up developing well. You leave the play with your head a little dazed from so much information, so many "inputs," and so much rage.
Some monologues have forceful information and messages that do not have much to do with the plot, but rather function as internal monologues that distract and overwhelm. They are interesting, yes, but there are too many. Too much information, too many themes, too many things.
Nevertheless, Tallar-se el peu amb una motoserra is a very interesting proposal, which touches on a topic that had never been dealt with in the world of theater because, precisely, it points to the theater and the Catalan theatrical establishment. And it was about time to dare to point directly and stop being silent. Let's raise our voices, let's raise our fists, and let's fight together.