Camila

After watching Camila, I thought that the movie displayed true history of Argentina. The idea of religion and social class are demonstrated thoroughly throughout the movie. Camila takes on a strong role as a lady who is determined to be with her man. However, this man is a priest and has to obey to the church and g-d. Rosas helps define the true meanign of dictatorship with his brutality toward everyone. Camila is independent and very passioniate therefore the she has many conflicts with Rosas. After watching the movie, i did notice that the director is byased and sticks to her beliefs and attitudes. The main idea is for Argentina to protect its national reputation. Overall, this movie portrays many historical aspects and should be shown in other classes.

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.

This melodrama directed by Maria Luisa Bemberg is a story of a passionate woman who wants nothing more than to pursue her desire for love and life. The movie shows the audience the importance of the church and social classes and enables us to view the attitudes and emotions of people living during the dictatorship of Juan Manuel de Rosas. However, it is evident that Bemberg has a slight bias in that the movie is seen through the eyes of Camila O'Gorman. This film is a wonderful example of how the movies intend to manipulate the viewer, allowing Camila to have all the rights and giving none to Rosas is rather biased. The film strongly emphasizes the dictatorship of Rosas and the viewer is given the opportunity to see the profundity and power of this dictator.

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.