Alba Flores Opens Up About Family, Stigmas, and Healing in New Documentary 'Flores para Antonio'

Alba Flores has made a striking decision to bring her personal story into the public eye with the documentary 'Flores para Antonio', directed by Isaki Lacuesta and Elena Molina. Set against the backdrop of the San Sebastián Festival, the film navigates themes of grief, memory, and the complexities of discussing one's loved ones without falling into the trap of stereotypes. In a heartfelt interview with Esquire, Flores expressed her struggle with various societal stigmas throughout her life, including those tied to her identity as a woman, her sexuality, and her Gypsy heritage. She poignantly highlighted that, despite progress in society regarding many issues, the stigma surrounding drug use remains pervasive. "Society forgives you for being corrupt, committing genocides or being a bad political leader, but it does not forgive you for having abused drugs because you are already labeled a junkie," she said. Her reflections underline the heavy burden many families experience, particularly those impacted by substance abuse in the tough decades of the nineties. The premiere of 'Flores para Antonio' has opened a much-needed dialogue. Alba candidly shared that making the film has been transformative, marking a significant before-and-after moment in her life. "I had never done something so important for myself and my family," she admitted. The documentary not only reveals intimate aspects of her father's life but also forced her to confront longstanding family secrets. "When we started making the film, I was not aware that I hadn’t talked to my family about all of this," she recounted. It has been a cathartic experience that is still unfolding, as she feels liberated by the storytelling process. The film offers an unprecedented glimpse into Antonio Flores' life, featuring unpublished materials such as home videos, photos, drawings, and songs, along with insights from those who knew him best, including family members and fellow artists like Joaquín Sabina and Antonio Carmona. It aims to paint a more nuanced portrait of the musician, moving beyond the myth that surrounded him and showcasing the musician's dual identity as an artist and an individual. In addition to exploring her father's legacy, the documentary has also rekindled Flores' passion for music. She performs 'Una espina', a deeply personal piece by her father, which she has yet to fully embrace performing publicly. Rather than delivering a showy vocal performance, her focus is on expressing her emotional journey surrounding the song. The directors have emphasized that 'Flores para Antonio' seeks to articulate universal themes of silence and absence that resonate with many families. Molina noted, "Everyone has silences, pending subjects, and absences that hurt in their family," while Lacuesta pointed to Antonio's guiding spirit in the project, wishing to reclaim the artist's identity beyond his music fame. After premiering at the Zinemaldia festival, 'Flores para Antonio' is set to hit cinemas on November 28 before it becomes available on Movistar Plus. Fans of Antonio Flores, as well as those seeking an honest exploration of familial love and the courage to confront stigma, should mark this date on their calendars. Related Sources: • Source 1 • Source 2