In a recent feature by Rolling Stone, Argentine filmmaker Lucas Figueroa—renowned for his Guinness World Record-winning short film Porque hay cosas que nunca se olvidan—discusses his latest endeavor: Renaceres, a documentary capturing the haunting stillness of Madrid during the COVID-19 lockdown.
Filmed in 8K, Renaceres offers an unprecedented visual record of the deserted Spanish capital, juxtaposing its empty streets with recitations of poetry by Quevedo, Lope de Vega, and Borges, delivered by prominent actors and thinkers. Figueroa, who obtained special permissions from Spanish authorities, undertook this project with a minimal crew, aiming to create a historical archive of the pandemic’s impact.
Reflecting on the experience, Figueroa likened the eerie emptiness of Madrid to scenes from I Am Legend, noting the profound emotional effect of witnessing such desolation. The documentary is set to premiere in cinemas and on VOD platforms, accompanied by a multimedia exhibition in one of Madrid’s major museums.
Through Renaceres, Figueroa continues to push the boundaries of storytelling, blending cinematic artistry with historical documentation to capture a moment of global significance.
