The Women of Casa X by Malcolm Venville

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The women, all over fifty, receive shelter, food and medical

was roaming the streets looking for trade when she

and psychological care here in the only refuge for prostitutes

stumbled across two colleagues, both over sixty, sleeping

in Latin America. Located only eight blocks from the historic

on the street, with only some newspapers for warmth.

centre of Mexico City, Casa X lies in the heart of the notorious

For almost forty years, their existence had been erased

district of Tepito, a name that has been synonymous with

from the memories of their families and society.

crime, smuggling and prostitution for the last five hundred

Forty years in which they provided their services to

years. In that time, the neighborhood has repelled attacks from

butchers, porters, refuse collectors and criminals.

the Aztec Empire and the Spanish Conquistadors, as well as

Confronted with what she realized would be her own

the current authorities. The women of Casa X clearly occupy

fate, and striving for dignity for all her colleagues,

the lowest rung on the ladder of this microcosm.

Carmen Muñoz resolved to set up a home that would

A series of astonishingly candid interviews with the women

offer them safety and warmth in the twilight of their

of Casa X, by the Mexican writer Amanda de la Rosa, serve to

lives. Twelve years later, in 2006, supported by Mexican

complement Malcolm Venville’s photographs. These are the

intellectuals and artists, the government made available a

portraits and testimonies of thirty-five survivors with much

seventeenth century mansion, where Carmen established

to say about life in a Latin American slum, about sex, poverty,

Casa Xochiquetzal, known today as Casa X.

love and the darkest side of human nature.

malcolm venville the women of casa x

One night in Mexico City, Carmen Muñoz, a sex worker,

malcolm venville the women of casa x

Malcolm Venville

is a film director and photographer.

He graduated in film, video and photographic arts from The Polytechnic of Central London. Venville’s published work includes Layers, a monograph of photographic work, Lucha Loco, a collection of Lucha Libre wrestler portraits photographed in Mexico City and Dressed to Kill, a detailed study of 1920s fashion. His directorial feature film debut 44 Inch Chest, was followed by Henry’s Crime.

Amanda de la Rosa

was born in Texas. She majored

in Mass Communication and Literature in Mexico City and Florida. In the field of journalism she has been published in the Mexican and international media, such as National Geographic, Traveler, Travel & Leisure. She is also a screenwriter for television.

www.schiltpublishing.com

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