Exploring Generational Trauma in "Where the Silence Is Heard"

"Where the Silence Is Heard," directed by Gabriela Pena and Picho García, is a feature documentary that delves into the complexities of inherited trauma within a family affected by the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet in Chile. The film, which premiered on March 17 at the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival (CPH:DOX), follows Pena as she returns to her family's abandoned house in Chile. Through her journey of renovation and exploration of her family's history, she seeks to understand how love, fear, and silence have shaped her lineage.

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The documentary is rooted in the historical context of Chile's political turmoil under Pinochet, which led to widespread exile and trauma for many families. Pena's exploration of her family's past is not just a personal narrative but also a reflection of the broader societal impacts of this period. The film aims to capture the emotional weight of these experiences, emphasizing the silence that often accompanies trauma.

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Gabriela Pena and Picho García, both creative and life partners, co-directed and edited the documentary. Their collaboration began with a short film titled "Familia," and they have spent six years developing "Where the Silence Is Heard." Pena's personal connection to the material is profound; she discovered her grandfather's writings during a trip to Chile, which sparked her interest in exploring her family's narrative. García, whose family remained in Chile during the dictatorship, brings a different perspective to the project, enriching the film with varied experiences of their shared history.

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Pena expressed her desire to confront generational trauma, stating, “This generational trauma is something that I have been wanting to confront since I can remember.” She acknowledges that her relationship with her mother has evolved through the filmmaking process, leading her to a deeper understanding of her mother's emotional distance, which she attributes to unresolved childhood experiences. García emphasized the importance of maintaining intimacy in their storytelling, noting, “We didn’t want to start to politicize intimacy.”

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While the film addresses personal narratives, there is a tension in balancing these intimate stories with the political context of Chile's history. Pena and García faced challenges in ensuring that their film was politically resonant without losing the focus on personal experiences. Pena remarked on the difficulty of finding this balance, indicating that previous cuts of the film felt either too personal or not political enough.

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Currently, Pena and García are focusing on their family life, particularly their son, as they transition to a new phase in Barcelona. Their immediate creative energy is directed towards parenting rather than embarking on a new film project. Pena's mother is set to view the documentary at its premiere, which Pena hopes will be an emotional and validating experience for her.

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• “Returning to a house in Chile abandoned in exile, a granddaughter traces three generations of memory to understand how love, fear, and silence are inherited,” — Gabriela Pena, Director

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• “We understand each other and can [support the other] with love and patience.” — Picho García, Director

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• “She is who she is, but I am a bit more at peace and better understand her now.” — Gabriela Pena on her relationship with her mother

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• “We always felt with this project, that we didn’t want to start to politicize intimacy,” — Picho García, Director

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Through "Where the Silence Is Heard," Pena and García invite audiences to reflect on the enduring impact of trauma across generations, emphasizing the importance of understanding and healing within familial relationships.

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