Jeissy Trompiz, a filmmaker, has created 'Three Houses,' a documentary selected for the Vancouver Film Festival’s Works-In-Progress Forum. This film delves into the often-overlooked experiences of Afro and Indigenous communities in Venezuela, portraying their struggles in a society he describes as the 'periphery of the periphery.' Trompiz's work serves as a deeply personal reflection on his homeland, transformed by political and economic turmoil.
Trompiz left his hometown of Maracaibo in 2014 to pursue filmmaking studies in Cuba, just as Venezuela's political and economic crisis began to escalate. After completing residencies in Italy and making short films in various countries, he settled in the Dominican Republic in 2019. Due to the pandemic and passport issues, he was unable to return to Venezuela for approximately six years. Upon his eventual return, he was confronted with a starkly altered nation, a reality he had previously struggled to articulate even to himself. The profound changes he witnessed prompted him to begin filming 'Three Houses,' which he conceptualized as a video letter to a friend and a form of personal 'therapy' to process his observations.
The film's production was not without its challenges. Initially, Trompiz filmed on the streets, but concerns for his safety, particularly from his mother who had faced political persecution, forced him to move the project indoors. The documentary then shifted its focus to three family homes, capturing the lives of ordinary people navigating daily pressures under the Venezuelan government. His mother plays a central role, embodying resilience and a commitment to seeking democracy, even in the face of personal risk. Trompiz, who identifies as Afro-Indigenous, aims to portray the unique perspectives of communities often marginalized both geographically and culturally within Venezuela.
Trompiz emphasizes that his film is not intended as a critique of any specific government or a boost for opposition forces. Instead, he seeks to illustrate how easily governments can become oppressive and fascist, and the profound impact this has on the lives of ordinary citizens. He points out that even left-leaning governments can exhibit fascist tendencies, and that external interventions can complicate political landscapes, potentially leading to alliances between seemingly opposing forces when economic or political advantages are at stake. The filmmaking process has been emotionally taxing for Trompiz, who described it as 'worse than therapy,' acknowledging the deep sadness and anger that fueled his creative endeavor. 'Three Houses' is a collaborative effort, produced by Alamar Films (Venezuela), Piso Tres (Dominican Republic), and Peixe Aranha (Portugal), with additional support from the Doha Film Institute and Eurodoc Caribe.
Through 'Three Houses,' Trompiz presents a nuanced and personal narrative of Venezuela's complex reality, challenging external perceptions and giving voice to those living on the fringes. The film underscores the importance of diverse perspectives in understanding national narratives and the human resilience found amidst political and economic hardship.
