Dácil Pérez de Guzmán's 'La última isla' Screens at Insularia KM. 0

The Asabanos Cultural Center in Valverde recently showed La última isla (2012) as part of Insularia's KM. 0 program. This film was written and directed by Dácil Pérez de Guzmán. Her work often blends fantasy with strong themes of nature and childhood memories.

Dácil is an experienced screenwriter and director in Spanish TV and film. She has worked on a variety of projects, from the TV series Hierro to the show Caminos de fiesta. Over the years, she's explored different styles, including documentaries, fiction films, and television programs. Her works include Triana, paraíso perdido and La última isla, which gained recognition at major international festivals in places like Hollywood, Chicago, Seoul, New York, and Seville.

"The idea for the film came from my childhood memories in El Hierro," Pérez de Guzmán explained. "I spent summers there when there was no running water or electricity, and those times felt like true freedom. As I've gotten older, I've noticed how children have lost their connection to nature and simple play. I felt this was an important story to share."

La última isla follows Alicia, a young girl who is too focused on her digital world. During a holiday with her aunt Belinda, she uncovers a world full of mystery, nature, and magic. "I want people to remember the island's magic, which makes it so special," she said. "When we first showed the film in El Hierro, someone from the island told me that when she was a child, people believed dragons lived in the fog. This symbolic link to the environment is truly the heart of El Hierro."

The director, who is from Seville, also worked on the popular series Hierro. She helped adapt the dialogue and situations to fit local customs. "I really enjoyed being part of that," she commented. "It's crucial for producers to make sure characters feel real and that their words and actions truly show what life is like in El Hierro."

Pérez de Guzmán is happy about the Canary Islands becoming a popular place for filming. However, she also shared a warning: "These islands have delicate environments. We must protect them and stay aware of our impact on nature during filming. We can't let their natural beauty disappear."

Pérez de Guzmán is used to working across different film styles and formats. She believes the story itself decides how it should be told. In her experience, "the format doesn't change the storytelling; the story finds its own way to be told."

Speaking about her involvement with INSULARIA, she highlighted the importance of such events. "Festivals like this are vital," she said, "because they showcase different viewpoints, connect islands around the world, and bring films from outside the big production hubs. They enrich local culture and give audiences a wider perspective."

Currently, the director is busy with several new projects. One is a film set in El Hierro, based on a historical event from 1949 that mostly takes place inside a cave. "I'm keen to explore human relationships and how characters react," she explained. "It's a personal story, really focused on feelings."

Dácil Pérez de Guzmán's involvement with INSULARIA perfectly matches the festival's aim: to be a hub for films made on islands, showcasing their unique identity, feelings, and views. Her appearance is part of the KM. 0 section, a traveling cinema program that visits a different town in El Hierro each year. This means that over three years, the films will have been shown across the entire island, bringing cinema closer to its people and communities.

The event receives sponsorship from Promotur, Turismo de Islas Canarias, and the Government of the Canary Islands. It also has the support of the Island Council of El Hierro and the help of the towns hosting the festival.