This documentary film gathers the memories, songs and experiences of Nicaraguan composers exiled in Costa Rica. Followed by discussion.

Produced by: COPAL, Collective of Latin American Audiovisual Producers and Artists

A collaboration between Cineforo LaFifo and andenbuch.

Description

The documentary “Monarca: De Norte a Sur” is a collection of the collective and individual memories of a generation of Nicaraguan artists who have been forced to migrate in order to preserve their freedom and ensure their survival in the face of an adverse sociopolitical context marked by state persecution and censorship.

Costa Rica provides the setting where Latin American migrant artists come together, organize, and collaborate on the production of the album “Monarca: Memoria Sonora del Exilio” (Monarca: The Sound of Exile).

The documentary received an award at the 4th edition of Festival SOMOS, an international arts festival for human rights, in 2025. It was also selected for the official 2026 programs the Central American Voices Film Festival (CAVFF) and the Hispanic International Film Festival, where it additionally received an “Excellence” award.

SYNOPSIS

Amid the deep crisis facing Nicaragua, art has become one of the few remaining spaces of freedom. Monarca was born out of an urgent need to sing, tell stories, and heal from exile.

This documentary brings together the memories, songs, and experiences of twelve Nicaraguan songwriters who, from San José, are rebuilding a musical scene that repression attempted to erase. Together, they bring to life the album “Monarca: Memoria Sonora del Exilio”, a collective record of songs about resistance, memory, and regional solidarity.

This is their story.

Duration: 52:21 minutes. Screening will be followed by discussion.

Arts in Action is the flagship public arts, performance and creative engagement programme of the Institute for Creativity at the University of Galway.

Description supplied by the event organiser.