The same blood

The family, as we know, is first-rate literary material; I would even say it's an inevitable inspiration. The family has largely made us who we are, and it makes us see the world in a certain way, sometimes to follow the line marked out for us, sometimes to flee or go against it.

I've enjoyed two works these days that once again revolve around this inexhaustible theme of the family. Pilgrimage, director Carla Simón recreates and evidently fictionalizes her search for her paternal family, which she never knew. The film completes the trilogy formed by Summer 1993 and Alcarràs about his family origins. In The birthday (Periscopio/Anagrama), the Italian novelist Andrea Bajani poses and justifies the protagonist's choice to renounce his family, which has held him emotionally hostage for years.

In both cases, the question that Pilgrimage openly asks: does having the same blood make you family?

I'm clear on the negative answer, as so many adoptions show us: you don't have to have the same blood to be family. But it's also interesting to try to find the answer to Carla Simón and Andrea Bajani's question. Blood may be the only thing that ties you to people who don't love you or do you any good. So, does it make any sense to make an effort to maintain this bond?

The protagonist of The birthday answers with a resounding no. In fact, the novel begins ten years after this son has had no relationship with his parents – by his own choice. The novel explains – and explains it well – why.

The protagonist of Pilgrimage doesn't have, by any means, such a forceful attitude. Carla Simón's voice is always full of nuances, doubts, and contradictions (that's why I like it so much). The Call of Blood is the narrative's driving force, but young Marina will experience significant disappointments.

There is one element to keep in mind: the story of Pilgrimage It is inspired by the director's own story, who grew up without any contact with her father – who died of AIDS – or with her family. There is nothing that makes me think that The birthday has nothing to do with Bajani's family history. Perhaps, and just perhaps, certainties are easier when it comes to fiction.

Bajani's novel – winner of the Strega Prize – has caused quite a bit of controversy in Italy. The author himself acknowledged in an interview on the program The jungle from TV3 that it's very difficult for an Italian to dismantle the institution on which their country's society is based. But this seems to be exactly what Andrea Bajani intended.

Carla Simón's perspective, on the other hand, approaches the family from a personal memory and with a very unique story. However, the questions she raises are universal: would we be the same person if we had been raised by a different family?

In short, Pilgrimage and The birthday They are alleged against violence. Against sexist violence, against the violence of silence and classism, against the violence buried within the family nucleus.

Both works are receiving well-deserved awards and praise, and, in some way, they confirm that the family—even with its darkest side—is a colossal source of inspiration.