In the midst of Women’s History Month, Spain eagerly anticipates the premiere of  “Las Locas del Obelisco” (The Madwomen of the Obelisk), a feature film that rescues from oblivion a heroic chapter of history: the 1885 founding of the Congregation of the Trinitarian Sisters by Mariana Allsopp González-Manrique and Father Francisco de Asís Méndez Casariego. Directed by Pablo Moreno and produced by Stellarum Films, with distribution by Proyecfilm, the film arrives in theaters on March 13th to highlight the courage of a woman who risked her social standing to rescue thousands of young victims of sexual slavery and urban poverty.

Set in a Madrid undergoing transformation at the end of the 19th century, the story follows several women from different social classes whose lives intersect in a capital marked by inequality and exploitation. Teresa and Candela, sisters who arrive from the countryside in search of opportunities, are confronted by the harshness of a city that pushes them to the brink. Meanwhile, María Ana Allsopp, a Mexican aristocrat living in Madrid, is moved by the suffering of the marginalized and, guided by her faith and the support of a priest, decides to abandon her comfortable life to open a refuge for all. This decision not only saves lives but also gives rise to a religious congregation that, more than a century later, continues its work in countries such as Spain, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala, Uruguay, India, and Kenya.

The 113-minute film was shot in iconic locations such as Béjar, Ciudad Rodrigo, Madrid, and Salamanca. Paula Iglesias plays the protagonist, Mother Allsopp, supported by a stellar cast including Assumpta Serna, Javier Godino, Jasmina G. Pizarro, Carmen Izquierdo, Carlos Iglesias, Arturo de la Torre, Elisa Hipólito, and other actors in an ensemble ensemble that enriches the narrative with human and dramatic nuances.

The film is not only a historical drama, but also a mirror of contemporary reality. According to data from the Ministry of the Interior in 2024, 632 victims of trafficking and sexual exploitation were identified in Spain, 98% of them women, including minors. Faced with this persistent scourge, “Las Locas del Obelisco” (The Madwomen of the Obelisk) underscores the importance of initiatives like those of the Trinitarian Sisters, who for two centuries have offered shelter, education, and human development to help women build dignified lives.

Before its national premiere, the film was presented on March 4th at the historic Cine Farnese in Rome, with director Pablo Moreno and some of the crew in attendance. The official trailer is already circulating widely, capturing the period atmosphere and the message of redemption, justice, and hope.

For more details, the trailer, and other materials, visit the official website:  https://laslocasdelobelisco.com . A cinematic project that invites reflection on the transformative power of women who, yesterday and today, choose to act against injustice.