The Quispe Girls

Las niñas Quispe is a Chilean film written and directed by Sebastián Sepúlveda. It is based on the true story of the Quispe sisters and on Juan Radrigán’s play “Las Brutas”.

The film is based on the story of sisters Justa, Lucía and Luciana Quispe, three goat-herders from the Chilean altiplano, the home of the indigenous Colla people.

In 1974, the altiplano (highlands) goat-herders were concerned their animals were losing economic value as rumours about the military government expanded and reached the more isolated corners of the country.

Affected by the recent loss of another of their sisters, and frightened by the news that the military had reached the area of Copiapo, Justa, Lucía and Luciana committed suicide by hanging themselves from a rock (along with their two dogs).

The film’s suicide scene was performed on the same rock where the real incident occurred, and the role of Justa Quispe was played by her niece, Digna Quispe. Movie director and screenwriter Sebastián Sepúlveda says about his first encounter with Digna Quispe: "I was very afraid of Digna when I first met her. She don't shake hands, she "shake" just the fingers, and in a very cold way", later she would accept to take part of the project. Digna's harsh personality was considered a reflection of her life in the Altiplano, and her personality leave a mark on the film.