2023-12-26 01:17:04
On the first day of January, a documentary that can be seen with the family will premiere on ETB-2, at 10:30 p.m. Or with friends. Or alone. Or however one wants. It’s a story for everyone. It is titled ‘Eres tú: de Mocedades a El Consorcio’, has the seal of the director Lorea Pérez de Albéniz and covers more than half a century, like a photo album that goes back and forth, with no order other than curiosity and the desire to find that small detail that makes an era suddenly come back to life. But in this case it is not just about talking about the past, with images from television from yesteryear – to the sound of ‘Eres tú’ or ‘Amor de hombre’ – that bring out youthful smiles and fresh voices. There is a point of nostalgia, yes, but also a here and now that is very worthwhile.
From left to right, Roberto Uranga, Amaya Uranga, Javier Garay, Carlos Zubiaga, Izaskun Uranga and Jose Ipiña are the ‘historic six’ of Mocedades.
In this documentary, those who cut the cod are men and women between 62 and 82 years old. They are those of then and those of now. There are Amaya, Estíbaliz and Iñaki Uranga (the youngest), as well as Carlos Zubiaga (the oldest) and José Ipiña. The first four are still active in El Consorcio, with the memory always present, as a stimulus and tribute, of the great Sergio Blanco who died of cancer in 2015. As for José Ipiña, 74 years old, who sang in Mocedades until 1990, sees him ready to go on stage at any moment. They refuse to live off the income, “because what counts is the present; “the desire must not be lacking,” reflects Amaya Uranga (Bilbao, 1947), with that unmistakable voice and timbre that three generations have fallen in love with.
He no longer lives in Madrid, he has moved to his hometown to be closer to family. It is noon, she is relaxed and eager to talk, “even though I am relatively shy, sometimes I say too many things, I don’t know why…”. She is satisfied with the filming experience although she has not yet seen the result, which includes interventions, among other friends and family, by Mayra Gómez Kemp, Víctor Manuel, Rosa León, Allende and María Blanco (daughters of Sergio and Estíbaliz). in addition to extensive historical material of videos and photos, both from RTVE and ETB and from the group’s personal archives.
The documentary
Title ‘It’s you: from Mocedades to El Consorcio’
Address Lorea Pérez de Albéniz
Screenplay Laura Guillén
Participants Amaia, Estibaliz, Iñaki Uranga, Carlos Zubiaga, Jose Ipiña, Oscar Gomez, Allende and Maria Blanco, Victor Manuel, Mayra Gomez Kemp, Rosa Leon, Anne Igartiburu, Io Aramendi, Leire Martinez and Emilio Santamaria (son)
Throughout 60 minutes, the human and the divine are addressed – from the drunkenness at Eurovision to the censorship in some stations of their version of ‘Pange lingua’ for being “too modern” –, with very striking revelations, such as that the abandonment by Amaya Uranga in 1984 frustrated the signing of a million-dollar contract with the RCA label in the United States. She knowingly resigned because, at that time, it was no longer worth it for her to continue working as a soloist for Mocedades. Coexistence was very deteriorated and she couldn’t take it anymore. Too much pressure and internal criticism “at the family level.”
Of course, the paradox of there being three groups that claim the legacy of the group is not delved into. In addition to El Consorcio (with three Uranga), there are two Mocedades, one that has Izaskun and Idoia Uranga in its ranks and another led by Javier Garay (without anyone from the Uranga clan). The tone of the documentary is warm and friendly, although it is not free of moments that break the mold. Attention: Sergio was in love with Amaya.
“Grumpy and grumpy”
Around 17 minutes into the documentary, Estíbaliz herself admits that her future husband did not notice her at first. She confesses it in front of Amaya, before stating “that she took him who had to take him, because you weren’t there for him.” Not for Sergio or for anyone at that time. Amaya loved him “very much” as a friend but nothing more. That’s how she felt it and that’s how she says it.
Estíbaliz and Amaya at the moment when they reveal that, at the beginning, Sergio was in love with Amaya.
It is authentic, without ambiguity or lukewarmness, regardless of who it is. Her people sometimes reproach her for having become “grumpy and grumpy” – as Iñaki Uranga does reluctantly in the documentary – but she sighs without taking it to heart. She’s used to it. Her father also told her that she acted “like a braggart.” These are her comments that do not bother her, but quite the opposite, “because there is trust and affection.”
She repeats and exaggerates them, to the point of considering herself “a jerk” while chatting with EL CORREO. She releases him suddenly. There are no frills worth it. A bad student at the Teresianas – “they sent me there and I had to put up with it” – she never had the willpower to bend her elbows. She was only attracted to music and singing.
«I had a wonderful aunt, my mother’s little sister, who took me to shows. I remember as if it were today the Mexican Children’s Orfeón that I saw at the Arriaga Theater. A preciousness! It’s curious. “I forget very recent things, which I can tell you now, but I have everything recorded, like a movie.”
He has also always liked cinema, even though there were theaters “with a lot of people like Actualidades (C/Buenos Aires, 11), which was rubbish.” In that place they programmed movies for young people “and there were many men who came and sat next to you to touch you; Ask, ask women my age and they will confirm it for you. A woman of the world and with experience – “good and bad, because there is everything” – she knows that we must not lower our guard against “depending on what elements, because there will always be disgusting types.”
The abandonment of Amaya Uranga in 1984 frustrated a million-dollar contract. She knowingly resigned
The entire Uranga Amézaga family.
Amaya is the eldest of nine children and the spitting image of her father, a draftsman at Aceros Echevarría. She grew up in a wealthy family “but prudery, falsehood and hypocrisy have always given me an allergy.” She is sensitive but “when you have to be, it’s better not to go overboard, you know what I mean.” She doesn’t regret anything, not even breaking up with Mocedades in 1984. «She needed to be alone, on and off stage. I don’t remember if I recorded two or three albums, but I am very proud of that stage. Why wouldn’t she be? The success of that stage was relative, hence many fans applauded her decision to become a soloist in a new group, El Consorcio.
«I don’t know if as an artist I need or not to be supported by more voices. I haven’t thought about it. The truth is, I think I’m also good enough to sing alone. Things happen as they happen. I am very happy to have gone through several stages. “I am happy with my past and my present.” Now, at 76 years old, she is ready to continue burning kilometers with her colleagues from El Consorcio.
– I understand that your teacher was not happy that you dedicated yourself to music…
– Noooo. He was very proud because we left the pavilion very high. We were doing it well and that excited him. In my family, in the Uranga and the Amézaga, there was a lot of musical talent. The union of Roberto and Edurne, who were my aita and my mistress, multiplied that gift. It’s something we carry inside. I feel them very close every time I sing. I think about them a lot. Whenever I go out and sing, I pay tribute to them. I want Aita and Ama to continue being proud. That gives tremendous strength.
#Mocedades #secrets #legendary #family