L’Aigua Recorda
The Synopsis
One year after La DANA, a catastrophic flood in Valencia, six voices reflect on loss, memory, and resilience. Water Remembers (L’Aigua Recorda) follows six individuals in the towns of Catarroja, Paiporta, and Alfafar whose lives were reshaped by the water on October 29 2024.
The film stays with these characters through the year that follows, when headlines fade but trauma remains. By rejecting conventional interviews and focusing on long, still shots of environments paired with disembodied voices, the film explores how catastrophe changes inner worlds and our relationship to a place.
Director’s Note
Media coverage was immediate and intense, yet it quickly moved on. This film arises from a simple conviction: the most vital part of the story was being missed. Beyond the emergency, there is the slow process of adaptation and the way trauma settles into the quiet moments of everyday life.
The intention is to slow down and listen. By returning to these towns every few months, the project attends to the reflections, fears, and resilience of those who stay. It is an attempt to understand how trauma is carried emotionally, physically, and collectively.
An observational and voice driven approach was chosen to create space for reflection rather than explanation. By removing faces and focusing on environments marked by water, the film aims to universalize these stories. These traces could belong to any community facing climate catastrophe.
Relationships with the protagonists were built slowly, grounded in trust and presence. Ultimately, the film is an act of memory. In a world increasingly shaped by disaster, it is vital to remember not only what happened, but how it continues to shape lives long after the water recedes.
Partnerships
We are currently looking for co production partners, broadcasters, and distributors who value poetic and observational storytelling. Water Remembers is an invitation to collaborate on a story that is both regionally specific to Valencia and universally resonant.
The Team
Directed and Produced by
Maya Delagrée, Lacielle Galipeau & Ariella Jelic
Director of Photography
Lacielle Galipeau
Cinematography
Maya Delagrée & Lacielle Galipeau
Lead Editing
Maya Delagrée & Lacielle Galipeau
Character Production & Interviews
Maya Delagrée
Original Music
Beatrice Lepage
Sound design
Roman Schoenbichler
Format 4K Digital Color Color Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Duration 70 minutes Language Valencian & Spanish Location Spain