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Cama Adentro
Cama adentro (2005) is an Argentine and Spanish drama film, written and directed by Jorge Gaggero. In Spain it is also known as Senora Beba. It was executive produced by Aqua Films' Veronica Cura. The picture features Norma Aleandro, Norma Argentina, among others.
The drama is set in Buenos Aires during the early 2000s economic crisis. It tells of the relationship between Beba, a spoiled, temperamental member of the Argentina upper middle class (Norma Aleandro), and her longtime maid, Dora (Norma Argentina). Both are in their 50's.
Plot
Beba used to be a well-to-do socialite but Argentina's economic woes have worn her out. She's forced to sell door-to-door beauty products.
Dora came to Buenos Aires during her teenage years from the Chaco Province to work as a full time maid at Beba's apartment. Since then she's started to build a house in one of the villages outside Buenos Aires.
However, Dora is unable to complete the construction of her house because Beba owes her six months pay. Dora, tired of listening to Beba's promises of payment, is now determined to resign. Beba asks her for more time to get the money together and Dora accepts. During this period Beba tries to use the confidence of Dora and discouraged her not to venture into a new phase of her life.
Dora leaves the apartment to live with Miguel, her boyfriend, at her new home. Meanwhile, at Beba's apartment, the power and telephone services are cut due to lack of payment.
When summer arrives Beba is forced to rent out her apartment in order to pay her debts. She goes in a moving truck to Dora's house, with the intention of giving her all of her furniture. Beba has no place to live. Dora invites her to stay in her house and live together again.
The film basically depicts the transformation of a tough society through the lives of two ordinary Argentine women.
Cast
Norma Aleandro as Beba Pujol
Norma Argentina as Dora
Marcos Mundstock as Victor
Raul Panguinao as Miguel
Elsa Berenguer as Sara
Susana Lanteri as Meme
Claudia Lapaco as Perla
Monica Gonzaga as Irma
Eduardo Rodriguez as Luisito
Arturo Goetz as Invitado en el Country
Distribution
The film was first presented at the San Sebastian International Film Festival, Spain on September 21, 2004. It opened in Argentina on a wide basis on May 26, 2005.
The film was screened at various film festivals, including: the Sundance Film Festival, United States; the Tromso International Film Festival, Norway; the Toulouse Latin America Film Festival, France; and others.
Critical reception
Film critic A.O. Scott, who writes for The New York Times, liked the film and wrote, the film "is modest in scope but large in spirit and ambition, and very nearly perfect in execution."Scott, A.O. The New York Times, film review, March 26, 2005. Scott later named it the 6th best film of 2007 .
Deborah Young, film critic at Variety magazine, liked the film and wrote, "A live-in maid leaves the pretentious employer who can no longer pay her in Jorge Gaggero's well-written first feature, Live-In Maid. Taking a different approach to describe the effects of Argentina's down-sliding economy, pic's a fairly successful attempt at satire, though given the subject, there's a lot of darkness under the carpet...Pic's real treat is non-pro actress Argentina's beautiful portrait of Dora, who stoically bears years of humiliation from Beba but is unable to rejoice once the tables are turned." Young, Deborah. Variety, film review, July 17, 2007. Last accessed: February 18, 2008.
''The Hollywood Reporter'sfilm critic James Greenberg, wrote of the film, "The small, well-acted chamber drama is a genre that has virtually disappeared from American screens, which is too bad when you see one as accomplished as Live-in Maid.'' Powered by two first-rate performances, Jorge Gaggero's debut feature is full of psychological nuance and keen social observation. It's an impressive feat and one that should find an audience in art houses worldwide." Greenberg, James. The Hollywood Reporter, film review, January 31, 2005. Last accessed: February 18, 2008.
Critic Eric Snider like the acting in the film, and wrote, "Where it excels is in its casting: Norma Aleandro and Norma Argentina are absolutely perfect, both separately and as a team. Aleandro, an Argentine film veteran, has the look of a woman who wants to be imperious but can no longer afford it, the face of someone trying to keep her dignity. Beba treats Dora poorly, but only because she is too proud to admit she loves her like a sister."
The film received favorable reviews from critics. The review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reported that 100% of critics gave the film a "Fresh" rating, based on 31 reviews. Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 78 out of 100, based on 14 reviews.
Awards
Wins
Brussels Film Festival: Norma Aleandro, Best Latin American actress; 2004.
Sundance Film Festival: Special Jury Prize, World Cinema Dramatic Competition; 2005.
Toulouse Film Festival: FIPRESCI Award; Best First Feature Film; 2005.
Tromso International Film Festival: Special Mention of the Jury; 2005.
Argentine Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor Best First Film, Jorge Gaggero; Best New Actress, NNorma Argentina; 2006.
Premios ACE: Premio ACE Cinema; Best Character Actress Norma Aleandro; Cinema, Best First Work, Jorge Gaggero; 2006.
Nominations
Sundance Film Festival: Grand Jury Prize, World Cinema - Dramatic, Jorge Gaggero; 2005.
Argentinean Film Critics Association Awards: Silver Condor, Best Actress, Norma Aleandro; Best Art Direction, Marcela Bazzano; Best Director, Jorge Gaggero; Best Editing, Guillermo Represa; Best Original Screenplay, Jorge Gaggero; 2006.
External links
Cama adentro at cinenacional.com .
Cama adentro film review at La Nacion by Fernando Lopez .
Cama adentro film review at Clarin .
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This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article Cama Adentro
