No callarem, a film for freedom
No callarem is a documentary that focuses on the story of three young musicians who have become the visible faces of the persecution of freedom of expression in the artistic context in the Spanish State.
The lyrics of Pablo Hasél, Valtònyc and Elgio were not only condemned by an unjust and vindictive judicial system, but also turned these three artists into victims of a media fabrication that portrayed them as criminals and enemies of democracy.
No callarem approaches, from both a personal and an artistic perspective, the experiences that led Elgio, Pablo Hasél and Valtònyc to become political targets of repression, as well as the consequences that repression has had on their lives, whether through disqualification from public activity, exile or imprisonment.
The documentary reconstructs the three cases through conversations between them and three singers: Ana Tijoux speaks with Valtònyc from exile; the letters written by Pablo Hasél to Bittah (Tribade) from prison are shared; and Elgio’s story as a member of La Insurgencia is retraced together with Yolanda Sey. The film also includes the only interview that has been recorded with Pablo Hasél in Ponent prison in Lleida. All of this is accompanied by a unique soundtrack in which artists from the current music scene reinterpret the convicted lyrics to create new songs in a variety of musical styles.
Watch the documentary trailer (YouTube)
The facts
Pablo Hasél, Valtònyc and Elgio shared a similar life story: from a very young age they developed a need to denounce injustices and expose the abuses and violence carried out by the State, the police forces and, especially, the Spanish Crown. Rap music would become their way of doing so, but the persecution they faced was beyond anything anyone could have imagined:
In June 2020, Elgio and the eleven members of La Insurgencia were sentenced to six months in prison, a term they will not have to serve as long as they do not receive further convictions amounting to a total of two years and one day.
In May 2022, the Belgian courts rejected the extradition of Josep Valtònyc, even though Spain was seeking a total sentence of ten and a half years in prison for insulting the Crown, making threats and glorifying terrorism. During this period he received more than 500 death threats, which forced him to change his place of residence repeatedly.
At the time of filming, Pablo Hasél was serving a prison sentence of two years and one month. In July 2022 this increased to a total of seven and a half years of effective imprisonment. Pablo’s mother is facing criminal proceedings for demonstrating in support of her son, as are many other members of his close circle and support group.
In 2019, the Spanish State became the country in the world with the highest number of artists given prison sentences.
The Council of Europe has repeatedly urged Spain to amend its legislation on the glorification of terrorism and insults to the Crown, arguing that it should not interfere with the right to freedom of expression.
In October 2021, the Belgian Constitutional Court abolished its law on insulting the Crown as a result of the Valtònyc case.
In February 2026, Pablo Hasél completed five years in prison. Professors from 95 universities in 25 countries signed a manifesto demanding the artist’s release and proposing his candidacy for the Sakharov Prize.
Production
After raising their voices through concerts, demonstrations and urban art, the citizens’ platform No Callarem and the audiovisual production company Bruna launched a creative process for the making of a documentary.
Bruna is a cooperative dedicated to telling stories through audiovisual media. They work according to the principles of the social and solidarity economy, prioritising people and their needs over capital. They are committed to an audiovisual approach with a critical perspective, capable of giving a voice to those who do not have one, offering imaginaries based on respect and the celebration of diverse realities.
For its production, a Verkami crowdfunding campaign was launched under the title Art. 490, although the final title chosen was No Callarem. The project received the support of the radio programme Carne Cruda, a critical radio show and podcast that brings together innovative culture, social activism, politics and current affairs, directed and hosted by Javier Gallego.
Production team
Title: No callarem
Genre: non-fiction, documentary
Running time: 90’
Year of release: 2022
Languages: Catalan and Spanish
Subtitles: available in Catalan, Spanish and English
Original idea: Francisco García Tapia, Adriano Galante, Albert Costa
Co-directors: Claudia Arribas Villa, Violeta Octavio Roca, Carlos Juan Martínez
Screenplay: Claudia Arribas Villa, Pilar Monsell
Producer: Francisco García Tapia
Executive producers: Albert Costa, Adriano Galante
Director of photography: Violeta Octavio, Carlos Juan Martínez
Editing: Violeta Octavio Roca, Claudia Arribas Villa
Filmed in 2018: Raúl Gallego
Location sound: Carlos Juan Martínez, Pablo Schwarzman, Andrés Jaén, Víctor Jiménez
Sound engineering and music production: Pablo Schvarzman
Sound design: Gabriel Cohen
Colourist: Fabian Matas
Music direction: Albert Costa, Adriano Galante
Graphic image: Imprenta Col·lectiva de Can Batlló, Borja Lozano
Country: Spain
Still from No callarem, featuring Alba Martínez, better known as Bittah, one of the artists participating in the documentary.
Image gallery
Below we show some images taken from the documentary:
Subscribe to our newsletter
We’ll keep you up to date with all the activities, projects, and events we’re involved in. Doing this you also help us raise awareness of our calls for proposals. Thank you very much!
This platform works in a network with numerous entities and organizations that help us in our work.
With the support of:
