A debut feature from director Eugenio Canevari, Paula is an ambitious and sensitive portrayal of injustice in a sleepy Argentine town.
The film tells the story of teenage Paula, whose future is threatened when she discovers she is pregnant. Refused help by the wealthy family for whom she works as a nanny and struggling to hide her physical changes, the film tracks her journey as she searches for a solution with increasing desperation.
Denise Labbatte is hypnotising as the young heroine, who holds the film together with quiet determination. Despite her practical approach, her isolation becomes increasingly painful to watch as she gradually runs out of options. While Canevari's story is not a new one, its familiarity is what makes it shocking, and the film provides a fresh take on an age-old dilemma.
The loneliness and urgency of Paula’s predicament stands in stark contrast to the languid backdrop of middle class Argentine life. Canevari allows the camera to linger on idyllic countryside scenery, while atmospheric sound editing and unhurried dialogue work to amplify the tension at the heart of the movie.
The loneliness and urgency of Paula’s predicament stands in stark contrast to the languid backdrop of middle class Argentine life. Canevari allows the camera to linger on idyllic countryside scenery, while atmospheric sound editing and unhurried dialogue work to amplify the tension at the heart of the movie.
Although an intensely personal story, Canevari offers a vivid and detailed snapshot of Argentine society. The rigid social divides are subtly outlined, and all the more effective as a result. Paula is a compelling film, offering a timeless portrait of a woman’s struggle in a society stratified by gender and class.
| What | Paula film review |
| Where | Various Locations | MAP |
| Nearest tube | Leicester Square (underground) |
| When |
17 Oct 15 – 31 Oct 15, various times at BFI film festival |
| Price | £ determined by cinema |
| Website | Click here to go to the BFI website for more information |
