Les héritières

Even a homosexual relationship between women can be affected by toxic dominance behavior.

Chela (Ana BRUN) and Chiquita (Margarita IRUN) live together in a stately home in Asuncion, which has seen much better days. Chiquita lives so lavishly that one day she ends up in prison for fraudulent debt. For Chela, a time now begins in which she must take responsibility for herself. In her old Mercedes, she literally drives into a new life, in which the dashing and much younger Angy (Ana IVANOVA) also plays a certain role.

A middle-aged woman overcomes her fears, learns to drive a car again and is thus able to fight for a broader perspective on life. With this simple but intensely observed film, director Marcelo MARTINESSI achieved something very special. For the first time in the history of the Berlinale, a film from Paraguay made it into the competition in 2018. Paraguayan actress Ana BRUN was awarded a Silver Bear for her role as Chela, who is fighting her way out of depression.

I was really impressed by this film. Although it's a slow and quiet movie throughout, underneath burns a thoroughly riveting story complete with surprisingly intense dramatic tension, a brilliantly down-to-earth premise, and a wonderful elegance that makes The Heiresses an absolutely delightful watch from start to finish.

For a movie that only lasts just over 90 minutes, and seems so slow and quiet on the outside, there really is a lot to pick through here, but I'll start with what impressed me most of all: the performances.

The great thing about the acting in this film is that it feels so genuine right the way through, with lead Ana Brun putting in an incredible turn that's full of emotion and drama, while supporting players like Margarita Irun, Ana Ivanova and more all really add to the emotional and intimate depth of the story at hand, all playing each of their roles with a real sense of genuineness and elegance that make everyone on screen absolutely fascinating to follow throughout.

What's even more striking about the performances here is that the most memorable and powerful moments of the film don't come from the film's dialogue, but rather the core of the acting. Particularly in the film's middle act, when our leading lady, Ana Brun, encounters a real turning point in her life, there's never a direct mention of what's going on inside her head, nor any explicit remarks regarding the sudden change of pace and scenery she has found herself in since her partner was taken away to prison.

However, without any dialogue, Brun's performance is so clear and effective that you're able to tap into exactly what her character is thinking almost immediately. And there's no sense of overacting either, but rather than down-to-earth nature of the performance shining once again as you become deeper and deeper engrossed in what evolves beautifully into a very intimate and incredibly touching story.

Of course, all of that isn't entirely down to the performances, because director Marcelo Martinessi does a lot to make that striking turn of events work so successfully.

At the outset, the film's slow-paced and quiet nature may make it seem rather inaccessible for casual viewers, but Martinessi does a fantastic job to keep you engrossed from the start. With a good balance between touching, patient drama and excellent humour, The Heiresses is a thoroughly entertaining watch right from the beginning, and that's what really allows you to get engrossed in the story before things really start to turn into gear.

What's most striking about Martinessi's directing is how he manages to create a powerful sense of nervous energy around the whole film, even when things look perfectly normal from the outside. Following her partner's imprisonment, our leading lady is forced to venture out into the world once again, and ends up taking up an informal job as a chauffeur. It's a very simple premise that sees her driving her friends around town, yet with one single line of dialogue, and very clever directing right the way through, that entire side of the story is filled with very effective tension, something I really wasn't expecting to see from the film.

And with that, the dramatic power on display is established firmly in the early second act, allowing the crux of the film's story - that of our leading lady seeing an enormous change in her life as she discovers a new sense of freedom and independence - to really hit home over the course of the final act.

From the outside, The Heiresses is a quiet and patient piece that may not seem like the clearest opportunity for brilliant and tense drama. And yet, with a whole host of fantastic performances, a riveting and touching story, excellent direction from Marcelo Martinessi, and a combination of beautiful dramatic elegance with sweet and enjoyable humour, it's a film that's thoroughly engrossing, and absolutely an entertaining watch at the same time.

What even is a Paraguay? No idea, never been there, but this is terrific. Ana Brun hits the ball out of the park, showing big life stresses and changes through just the subtlest of inflections.

Never heard of the director either. He delivers a sophisticated, morally perplexing and topical movie. I'll sign up for anything else he makes.

Thanks to Palace for bringing this one to Australia.

This is an icily paced Paraguayan film, which will probably appeal only to those viewers who have enough patience to allow an intricate drama to slowly unfurl

Chela (Ana Brun) and Chiquita (Margarita Irun) have been in a 30 year long lesbian relationship. But now with Chiquita possibly facing jail time for "fraud" they find their financial situation is precarious and have begun to sell some of their valuable possessions, most of which they have inherited.

When Chiquita is finally remanded to prison, we are witness to Chela's slow transformation from a depressed and introverted woman. She begins to earn some cash by offering her Mercedes for lifts to her neighbors, even though she doesn't have a driver's license.

Eventually, she will meet the younger and vivacious Agny (Ana Ivanova) who will stir up some long buried passion in Chela, as well as loads of anxiety. The changes in Chela are slow and subtle and Brun gives a superb and understated performance here. I was shocked to see that this is her first film, but then I read she has had extensive stage experience.

Overall, loads of realism in this movie that, as mentioned, you'll need a ton of patience to enjoy its subtleties . So if you need lots of action or don't like dialogue driven slow-paced movies then you may be better off passing on this one.

To note: the English subtitles here are quite small.

Life always gives a new chance. Suitable for people who think themselves losers, are depressed and do not see any light at the end of the tunnel. It is just a matter of self esteem, Chela's character shows how this trait can evolve up to a new level unleashing a new way of thinking that translates into dire action