The film is considered to be a tribute to women and demonstrates their resilience because it is about the sexual abuse that is endured by Raimunda from her husband as well as her father and then her daughter that was abused by Paco as well. Once Paula killed him, Raimunda realized that they would both be better off and was able to dispose of the body and continue on with her life for the sake of Paula. She succeeded in the restaurant business and in raising Paula even though she had been through so much in her life. She did not seem to have terrible ill feelings for Paco as she buried him by the river, where he liked it the most. (I would have just put him in the trash where he belonged) Irene, who was thought to be dead, had endured so much as well. Her husband was molesting Raimundo and having an affair as well. She did what she felt she had to do and that was to set the fire that killed him as well as Agustina. Emotionally they had all been through so much from the abuse to losing parents and not knowing what had happened ( in Agustina's case) to her mother.
The one Superstitious thing that really stuck out to me was the fact that the towns people all believed that you come back from the dead and this is what they all thought was the case with Irene. Because they all believed it and had seen her they never asked any questions. The funny thing was is that she was actually alive and being a "ghost " was not really the case. I am not sure if it was a superstitious thing or not, but the women cleaning the graves was very bizarre. We do not do that in our country, but they were very serious about their grave cleaning.
I really enjoyed this movie, I just hate what Raimundo and Paula had to endure, but at the end at least Raimundo and Irene were able to make things right.
I enjoyed your insightful blog. Both women did endure horrible tragedies at the hands of their loved ones (fathers).
ReplyDeleteThe grave cleaning I thought was very unusual,also. What a strange tradition.
I agree with you. These were all strong women who did what had to be done to survive. I appreciated the fact that Raimunda accepted the fact that Paco tried to assault Paula without question. Then proceeded to hide/bury the body and told her daughter remember I killed him. I was so glad to finally see a film where the women weren't weak and subserviant to the men. The superstition about the wind being able to make you crazy was funny. The graves were tended carefully because they believed people never really die/go away. Irene was able to remain caring for her sister because the people believed in ghosts. I really enjoyed this film, like you said they were all able to overcome the abuse they suffered and Irene and Raimunda had a chance to repair their strained relationship.
ReplyDeleteLisa Gallagher
I really enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you when you said you would put Paco in the trash I would find it very hard to put him in a place he enjoyed after doing what he did.
ReplyDeleteI feel the women in this film were much more independent than the women we have seen on previous films.