Río Turbio

In the mining town of Río Turbio in Patagonia, a local legend forbids women from setting foot in the coal mines. Should a woman dare to enter, the story goes, the “black widow” will bring death and destruction. The closest women come is to work as secretaries or take the stage in the hope of being crowned “Queen of Coal” during the local beauty contest.

Director Tatiana Mazú González examines the disadvantaged position of women in Río Turbio and reveals the harsh, everyday reality of miners’ families. She draws on the stories of women, including her aunt, about their months-long protest against the brutal working conditions in the mines, and the feminist radio station they founded to call attention to injustice.

Audio recordings, text messages, and distinctive maps of the area combine in a playful collage of a neglected local history. Río Turbio is an ode to the struggle of the “coal women” and highlights their place in the collective memory.