In his new book new book "Dialect," Felipe Romero Beltrán depicts lives of nine Moroccan men living in a Spanish immigration facility. Scroll through the gallery to see more of the images.
In his new book new book "Dialect," Felipe Romero Beltrán depicts lives of nine Moroccan men living in a Spanish immigration facility. Scroll through the gallery to see more of the images.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Many of the photos speak to the boredom faced by the men, who were undocumented and unable to legally work in Spain.
Many of the photos speak to the boredom faced by the men, who were undocumented and unable to legally work in Spain.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Part documentary and part performance, the book features staged re-enactments of moments from the men's difficult journeys to Spain.
Part documentary and part performance, the book features staged re-enactments of moments from the men's difficult journeys to Spain.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Beltrán's subjects recreate the moment one of them landed on Spain's coast.
Beltrán's subjects recreate the moment one of them landed on Spain's coast.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
"The system is built to avoid you, or to deny you access to (it)," Beltrán said.
"The system is built to avoid you, or to deny you access to (it)," Beltrán said.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Many of the photos show the men killing time. According to Beltrán, his subjects were required to stay in Spain for three continuous years before applying for residency.
Many of the photos show the men killing time. According to Beltrán, his subjects were required to stay in Spain for three continuous years before applying for residency.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Two of the men carry a third on their shoulders to re-enact the moment he fainted during a day-long walk on his way to Seville, in southern Spain.
Two of the men carry a third on their shoulders to re-enact the moment he fainted during a day-long walk on his way to Seville, in southern Spain.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
The men are pictured working out and giving one another hair cuts. Like many young men their age, they were "really aware of their image," Beltrán said.
The men are pictured working out and giving one another hair cuts. Like many young men their age, they were "really aware of their image," Beltrán said.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Many of the photos focus on conditions at the government-run facility, from peeling walls to basic food supplies.
Many of the photos focus on conditions at the government-run facility, from peeling walls to basic food supplies.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
While living at the government-run facility, the men took Spanish lessons and joined workshops to help them adapt to life in Spain — some of which were run by Beltrán.
While living at the government-run facility, the men took Spanish lessons and joined workshops to help them adapt to life in Spain — some of which were run by Beltrán.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
Beltrán often turned his lens on conditions inside the facility in which the nine migrants lived.
Beltrán often turned his lens on conditions inside the facility in which the nine migrants lived.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
The men did not know one another before arriving in Spain, though by "spending all day together ... they became really close friends," said Beltrán.<br />
The men did not know one another before arriving in Spain, though by "spending all day together ... they became really close friends," said Beltrán.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints
"Dialect," published by Loose Joints, is available now.
"Dialect," published by Loose Joints, is available now.
Felipe Romero Beltrán/Courtesy Loose Joints