Gran Canaria Punk Doc Premieres in Tenerife

A documentary about the punk rock scene in Gran Canaria, titled "Punk Rock in Gran Canaria: Survival and Combat," is set to premiere in Tenerife.

The 38-minute film will be shown this Thursday at 9:00 PM at the Equipo PARA venue in Santa Cruz. The director, José María de Páiz, will be present and will host a Q&A session with the audience after the screening. Entry is free until the venue reaches its capacity.

Punk rock in Gran Canaria is described as a hidden, almost underground movement. Since the 1980s, many bands have used their music to express anger and dissatisfaction with societal norms. The documentary features the people involved in this movement, who discuss how it has survived and thrived despite challenges.

The film was produced by Yotty Delgado and Guataca Films. Álvaro Carrero Puig was in charge of the cinematography and sound, and Luis Miguel Guadalupe handled the editing and documentation.

"Punk Rock in Gran Canaria: Survival and Combat" provides a historical look at the island's punk rock scene from the 1980s to the 2000s. Director José María de Páiz interviewed 16 members from bands including Psicosis Crítica, Hemorragia Sexual, Toke de Keda, Malformaciones Kongénitas, Potaje de Perros, Enac Ska, Represión 24 horas, Akrataka, Cosecha Urbana, Gobierno-No Karrancio, and Skachacs.

The lyrics of these punk bands often express their criticism of the system. The documentary also highlights the conscientious objection movement in the Canary Islands during the 1990s. Alberto el Troll, a member of Psicosis Crítica and Hemorragia Sexual, is quoted in the film saying, "We knew what we wanted: to be unpleasant. Unpleasant music, unpleasant lyrics, and an unpleasant aesthetic. And we achieved it. Punk developed with great originality in the Canary Islands. We weren't copying anything."

Isa, from Akrataka, states in the film, "I don't scream, I sing with rage." Karlutxi, of Cosecha Urbana, comments on the lack of performance spaces, noting, "There are venues for folklore, there are venues for murgas, but it seems there's no interest in having venues for punk or rock bands."

The 11th International DocuRock Festival is supported by the Cabildo de Tenerife, the Government of the Canary Islands (via the Canary Institute for Cultural Development), and the Culture Departments of the La Laguna and Santa Cruz de Tenerife City Councils.