In Panama City, the delicate connection between a pregnant Colombian immigrant with status issues and a well-to-do matriarch with dementia propels documentarian Ana Endara’s accomplished narrative feature debut.
The lush, secluded garden of a house in bustling Panama City becomes the stage for an encounter between two lonely women who keep each other company for a while. Ana María (Jenny Navarrete) is a pregnant Colombian immigrant with status and money issues. Her honest, dutiful care for the elderly lands her a job looking after Mercedes (Paulina García), a well-to-do matriarch suffering early onset dementia and needing to make adjustments to her daily routine.
In the skilled hands of writer-director Ana Endara, an accomplished documentarian making her first foray into feature fiction, the simple premise offers entrance into the carefully observed relationship between the seemingly disparate women. After a rocky start, Mercedes begins to rely on Ana María, opening her heart as her health deteriorates. That delicate connection allows her to reach out to her caregiver, who is isolated from the world by a dark secret.
The spacious narrative allows both actresses to present lived-in personas, each accessing the strength required to be who they need to be. García (Gloria, TIFF ’13; Las Analfabetas) isn’t new to complex characters, while Navarrete (The Other Son) cements her place among the most talented Latin American actresses of the moment.DIANA CADAVID
Screenings
Scotiabank 9
TIFF Lightbox 4
Scotiabank 10
Scotiabank 11