When Chueca Dies

Film program, NL 2025, 94 min., span. OV. + engl. UT

By: Ramon Gieling

Chueca is the internationally known neighborhood in the center of Madrid that has been an oasis of freedom for the LGBT community since the 1990s. But for a few years now, due to the changing political climate of hate speech by politicians, the neighborhood has been under a magnifying glass by opponents.

The film portrays an illustrious group of people from the neighborhood, from trans people to drag queens, from young lesbians to refugees. At its center is Radio Chueca Libertaria’s radio broadcast from the legendary Berkana Bookstore, about the downfall of the neighborhood and the attacks on the queer movement worldwide. In a series of scenes, all the characters regularly step out of their own lives into the roles of their opponents and enemies. A visually stunning film full of emotion, anger and vibrant dance scenes.

Jürgen Brüning