| Cama adentro | |
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Spanish theatrical release poster |
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| Directed by | Jorge Gaggero |
| Produced by | Executive Producer: Verónica Cura |
| Written by | Jorge Gaggero |
| Starring | Norma Aleandro Norma Argentina Marcos Mundstock |
| Cinematography | Javier Julia |
| Editing by | Guillermo Represa |
| Distributed by | Aqua Films |
| Release date(s) | Spain: September 21, 2004 Argentina: May 26, 2005 |
| Running time | 83 minutes |
| Country | Argentina Spain |
| Language | Spanish |
Cama adentro (English: Live-in Maid) (2005) is an Argentine and Spanish drama film, written and directed by Jorge Gaggero. In Spain it is also known as Señora Beba. It was executive produced by Aqua Films' Verónica Cura. The picture features Norma Aleandro, Norma Argentina, among others.[1]
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.
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Beba used to be a well-to-do socialite but Argentina's economic crisis has left here with almost nothing. She is then forced to sell beauty products door-to-door.
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 has slowly worked to build a house in one of the towns outside Buenos Aires.
Dora, however, 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 discourages her from venturing into a new phase of her life.
Finally, 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. Unexpectedly, Dora invites her to stay in her house and live together again.
The film depicts the transformation of an Argentine society through the lives of two very different women.
The film was first presented at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, Spain on September 21, 2004. It opened in Argentina on May 26, 2005.
The film was screened at various film festivals, including: the Sundance Film Festival, United States; the Tromsø International Film Festival, Norway; the Toulouse Latin America Film Festival, France; and others.[2]
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."[3] Scott later named it the 6th best film of 2007 (tying with 12:08 East of Bucharest).[4]
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."[5]
The Hollywood Reporter's film 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."[6]
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."[7]
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.[8] Metacritic reported the film had an average score of 78 out of 100, based on 14 reviews.[9]
Wins
Nominations
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