Camila: O Símbolo de uma Mulher Apaixonada

"Camila" is a love story that is based on true events. It is a unique movie in that it draws the audience to it with the promise of passion, but it keeps the audience intrigued with its historical representation of Rosas' Argentina. The forbidden love affair between Camila, the daughter of a wealthy land owner, and Ladislao, a young priest, is defeated by the intensity of Argentina's patriarchal society. Maria Luisa Bemberg's presentation of the power of Rosas' regime is historically accurate, as is her depiction of the passion and independence of Camila.

In 1982, the Argentine military government seized the Falkland Islands, also known as Las Islas Malvinas, from the British. The British deployed combat forces to the South Atlantic and recaptured the territory in a war that lasted ten and a half weeks. This led to the downfall of the Argentine military junta and a reversion to democracy, establishing conditions which in 1984 brought to the screen a true story that had been suppressed by political, religious, and/or cultural forces for nearly fourteen decades. It is one of the most popular movies in the history of Argentina, from among those produced by that nation.

Camila refers to Camila O'Gorman, and opens very briefly in her childhood with the arrival at her family's ranch of a stagecoach bearing her grandmother, who is to be placed under house arrest. Camila's father fully consents to the arrangement, siding with the authorities rather than with his mother, who is on the wrong side of contemporary political affairs. The opening then shifts forward to Buenos Aires, 1847. Camila, now a young woman of about 19, is closeted with and huddled over some newborn kittens she knows will earn her father's disapproval if he discovers them. In the late 1840s, Argentina is under the control of a dictator, General Rosas, and the federals. The unitarians, some in exile and others trying to stay under the radar (as it were), are the latent opposition.

The plot can be summarized simply: A socialite daughter from a wealthy family falls in love with a (celibate) Jesuit priest. It is not only taboo in a Catholic society, but is taboo in a Catholic society at the wrong place and the wrong time, and neither the federals nor the unitarians contribute positively to the outcome. As the kittens meet their fate and the opening credits conclude, we view a statement dedicating the movie: "In memory of Camila O'Gorman…." History, and director Maria Luisa Bemberg, are serious about the advisory, so be forewarned, and be aware also that the movie has an R rating. The film coloring is memorable, and Susu Pecoraro in the lead actress role gives a strong performance.

A former friend of mine, who was very much into foreign films, "accidentally" rented this movie for both of us to watch after the dissolution of my relationship with a Jesuit, in 1999. Perhaps she was trying to assure me that I was better off now, because I would not be shot by a firing squad for having slept with a priest? Never mind that I was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder and was suffering through nightmares of Jesuits trying to murder me and make it look like suicide. After watching this movie, I was left numb and freaked-out by the residual irrational feeling that Camila might have been me in a former life?

Nine years later, I'm more able to assess the movie apart from my own experience of the Catholic priesthood and its extremely misogynistic tendencies. I admire Camila for having had a strong mind and will of her own, but I would tell her or any other woman involved with a priest that these men just aren't worth our sacrifice of self for their sakes, much less martyrdom.

"Camila" takes place in Buenos Aires, Argentina (1847-1848) during the tyrannic rule of Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas. The film recounts the tragic true story of Camila O'Gorman, a 19 year old socialite, who falls madly in love and runs away with a young Jesuit Priest, Ladislao Gutierrez. For a few months they were able to live happily as man and wife in a small village near the border of Brazil where they worked as school teachers. Respected by all who knew them, and unaware of their real identity, Camila and Ladislao were eventually recognized by a priest and captured. Imprisoned and executed without a trial by Rosas' orders, their bodies were placed together in a double coffin. At the time of her death Camila was eight months pregnant (but, perhaps due to censorship the film alters that fact) and her execution, along with Ladislao's, prompted the downfall of Rosas' reign.

This is a story that goes beyond doomed love, but also focuses upon personal and political freedom. Susu Pecoraro (Camila), who bares a strong resemblance to the real Camila, and Imanol Arias (Ladislao) are magnificent. This film is a masterpiece!

I would recommend this movie for a variety of reasons. Most importantly, it gives a clear impression of what life was like in Argentina at this time. The power that the government, Rosas, had over the people is mind boggling. The fact that a father could be brainwashed enough to choose the government over the life of his own daughter is sickening! This just illustrates the power and backwardness of Rosas' dictatorship. I also enjoyed this movie for the romantic aspect of the story. It kept you in suspense, while you routed for the couple's escape to happiness. The moving ending of the film leaves you with much to think about.