Xueta Island (2021)

• 82%
• 2021
• Documentary
• Dani Rotstein

The Chuetas on the island of Mallorca constitute a distinct population descending from Jewish families forced to convert to Catholicism centuries ago. While ancestors secretly maintained their faith as Crypto-Jews, their lineages publicly practiced Christianity for generations under severe social isolation and deep-seated stigma that persisted into the modern era. The documentary follows an American expatriate who relocates to the region and begins exploring the community's complex, long-silenced past. Through personal interviews and local encounters, the account uncovers the lingering psychological scars of the Inquisition and the historical hostility faced by these families. Simultaneously, it highlights a profound contemporary cultural awakening, showcasing how modern descendants are actively confronting historical prejudices, embracing their hidden heritage, and working together to openly reclaim their suppressed ancestral identity.