LILA AVILÉS: THE CHAMBERMAID/LA CAMARISTA (2018) - SAN FRANCISCO FILM FESTIVAL 21019[PREVIEW ONLY]
GABRIELA CARTOL IN THE CHAMBERMAIDA look at the working environment of a chambermaid in one of Mexico City's most luxurious hotels can be a counterpart to Cuaron's "Roma"In her feature debut, theater director Lila Avilés turns the monotonous work day of Eve (Gabriela Cartol), a chambermaid at a high-end Mexico City hotel, into a beautifully observed film of rich detail. Set entirely in this alienating environment, with extended scenes taking place in the guest rooms, hallways, and cleaning facilities, this minimalist yet sumptuous movie brings to the fore Eve’s hopes, dreams, and desires. As with Alfonso Cuarón’s ROMA, set in the same city, The Chambermaid salutes the invisible women caretakers who are the hard-working backbone of society. A Kino Lorber release.
-NEW DIRECTORS/NEW FILMS festival listing.
Jonathan Romney's
Screen Daily review points out "Eve seems to be suspended in an eternal daytime present, as if she never actually leaves the premises." A slowly immersive film that leads you into quiet desperation (self submerged by routine, hope suppressed by low status) and, perhaps , back out the other side.
The Chambermaid/La camarista, 105 mins., debuted at Toronto; half a dozen other festivals including New Directors/New Films and San Francisco, screened as part of the latter, where it received the GGA New Directors Award with a $10,000 cash prize.
SFFILM showtimes:
Fri, Apr 19 at 6:00 pm Roxie Theater
Sun, Apr 21 at 3:15 pm Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive