(c) Thomas Ickstadt
Elena García Quevedo is an author, journalist and screenwriter. She was born in Nava de Roa (Burgos), in the heart of a rural world on the verge of disappearing. Growing up in a rural area formed her view of things, as did her doctoral thesis on “mythology and cinema” as well as the beginnings of her professional career as a correspondent in the Middle East – Jerusalem-, where she was directly confronted with war.
She writes about human evolution for Geo. And she is the scriptwriter of award-winning documentaries such as “Invierno en Bagdad” (awarded the Biznaga de Plata at the Málaga Film Festival) “Invisibles” (Goya for best documentary) or “Hijos de la Tierra” (draft script, Goya for best documentary short film) as well as consultant for the scripts of the following films “Planes para mañana” (Biznaga de plata for best screenplay debut) and “La vida era eso”.
Her play “El olor del café” (The smell of coffee), is about the true friendship between two Jewish women and a Palestinian family seeking peace.
But knowing about war and depression pushes García Quevedo on a journey in search of joy and the tools of life in indigenous and rural elders, in leaders who have transformed the world, in those who have been able to distil joy from the deepest wounds. The fruit of this work are the books “Voces sabias” (Paidos) and “La voz de los sabios” (Luciérnaga).
Her own wounds lead her to explore egalitarian cultures, the result of which are the books Viajes que despertaron mis 5 sentidos, El viaje de las mujeres, as well as La tejedora de vidas, which opening story “La tejedora de los hilos del alma” has travelled around the world through the networks.
She ventured into fiction with the illustrated children’s story Luz, the shaman girl, the basis for the animated film of the same name, which is currently in production.
After the depression and suicide of one of the most important people in his life, he lives between Baden-Wuerttemberg in Germany and Spain.
Her work and life are marked by a commitment to the land, female memory and joy, journeys to places and people who keep the roots, and resilience. García Quevedo addresses the most important challenges of our time with an experienced, diverse and transversal viewpoint. She currently collaborates with media such as El Pais, and writes both literature and screenplays for the small and big screen.
