Thursday, April 12, 2007 06:05:37 AM
DVD PICK
Princesas
The most unlikely set of heroines take the lead in Princesas, a powerful
film writen and directed by Fernando Leon de Aranoa which has recently been released
on DVD.
Set in Madrid, Princesas tells the story of two young prostitutes,
Caye (Candela Pena) and Zule (Micaela Nevarez), who
develop a friendship based on their desire for a better life. Initially,
they meet when Zule, an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, steals one
of Caye's customers for a lower fee, but when she finds Zule badly beaten
in her apartment, they quickly become each other's support system.
The consequences and depressing reality of life on the street are explored,
as we learn that Zule is selling herself to support her young son back home.
She is even willing to put up with an abusive and manipulative boyfriend who
promises to get her legal working papers, while Caye is trying to save up
enough money for a breast lift to attract more customers.
Even in their grim circumstances, they like to pretend they
are princesses, to offer them a glimpse of hope, even though
they work in an industry where they are objectified and abused by men.
Princesas was an Official Selection at the 2006 Sundance Film Festival. The film includes award-winning performances by Candela Pena (The Three Ages of the Crime, All About My Mother), who was named Best Lead Actress and Best New Actress at the 2006 Goya Awards and Micaela Nevarez, who was named Best Actress at the 2006 Cinema Writerâs Circle Award.
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