During the 2024 Princeton in Spain study abroad program, students worked on two exciting video projects that premiered in Toledo at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón, and we are delighted to present them here.

In Spanish 207S, with Prof. Alberto Bruzos, students created a video essay inspired by Madrid (2002), a short documentary by the renowned Chilean filmmaker Patricio Guzmán, best known for his political documentaries on Chile, including La batalla de Chile, Nostalgia de la luz, and Mi país imaginario. For this project, students followed Guzmán's documentary style to produce 3-5 minute segments reflecting their personal perceptions and experiences in Toledo or during program activities and excursions. The result is a film titled Un mes en España. View the complete film.

In Spanish 310S, with Prof. Germán Labrador Méndez and Prof. Jorge Gaupp, students collaborated with artist and filmmaker Isaías Griñolo on an audiovisual remix project. Using images and sounds recorded by the students and drawn from an archive on Toledo and Spain, they produced a film titled Vistas de Toledo. This piece also includes segments created by Prof. Germán Labrador Méndez and Isaías Griñolo. View the complete film.

Another highlight from the 2024 program was a day trip to the Puy Du Fou theme park, located just outside Toledo. This theme park is focused on Spanish history, showcasing live shows, historical reenactments, and performances that cover various periods, from the Middle Ages to the present, all with a strong emphasis on spectacle. During this visit, we were joined by the team behind the podcast La guardia mora, led by Prof. Yasmina Aidi, a former graduate student of our department, and centered on cultural, identity, and historical-political relations between Morocco and Spain. The day after the visit, the podcast team recorded a live episode examining the ideologies and financial interests behind Puy Du Fou. Students attended the session and participated by asking questions and sharing their comments. Listen to the full episode. 

Finally, here is a bonus film experiment by Prof. Alberto Bruzos, who could not help but join in the creative explosion that defined this summer in Toledo. View the complete film.